
Class 1 

Book „_^ 
Copyright N^- 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



DAFFODILS 

NARCISSUS 
AND HOW TO GROW THEM 



The Garden Library 



Roses and How to Grow Them 

By Many Experts 

Ferns and How to Grow Them 

By Q. A- Woolson 

Lawns and How to Make Them 

By Leonard Barron 

Daffodils, Narcissus and How to Grow Them 

By A. M. Kirby 



Plate I 




A CENTURY-OLD FIELD OF DAFFODILS 

On the old Lalor homestead near Trenton, N. J., the old English trumpet daffodil 
(TV. Pseudo-Narcissus) has been growing wild for a hundred years. When com- 
fortably naturalised, the season of flowering is somewhat earlier than in ordinary 
garden cultivation and there is always bloom in this field by the 2sth of March 



DAFFODILS 
NARCISSUS 

AND HOW TO GROW THEM 



As Hardy Plants and for Cut Flowers 

With a Guide to the Best 

Varieties 

By 

A. M. KIRBY 



ILLUSTRATED 




NEW YORK 

Doubleday, Page & Company 

1907 



V 
Copyright, 1907, by Doubleday, Page & Company 

Published, August, 1907 



All Rights Reserved 

Including that of Translation into Foreign Languages 

Including the Scandinavian 



ttmRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Co»tes Raceiyad 

AUG 21 I90f 

CopyrMrht Entry 
COPY 0. 




CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Old-time and Modern DaflFodlls and 

Narcissus. . • • 3 

II. Daffodils in the Garden Border. . 17 

III. Flowering Daffodils in Winter. . 47 

IV. Water Culture in the House. . 63 
V. The Commercial Production of Cut 

Flowers. . . . • 70 

VI. Naturalising in the Grass. . .81 

VII. Miniature Daffodils for the Rock 

Garden. . ... 90 

VIII. The One Insect and One Disease. 93 
IX. Straightening Daffodil Nomenclature 

and Classification. . . 98 

X. The Large Trumpet Daffodils. . iii 
XI. The Lesser Trumpet, Hoop-Petti- 
coat and Cyclamen-flowered 
Daffodils. . . . .141 

XII. The Medium-crown Hybrids. . 148 

XIII. The Pheasant's Eye and Poet's 

Hybrid Narcissus. . .170 

XIV. The Sweet-scented Jonquils and 

Campernelles. . . .180 
XV. The Tender Cluster-flowered Nar- 
cissus 183 

XVI. The Hardy Cluster-flowered Nar- 
cissus. . . . .192 



DAFFODILS— NARCISSUS 

XVIII. Medium crown, or Cup Daffodil 
(N. incomparabilis) {N. R. 
Graves). . . . . -157 

XIX. Narcissus Barii conspicuus (N. R. 

Graves). .... i6o 

XX. The Hoop-petticoat Daffodils. .161 

XXI. Narcissus LeedsII varieties (N. R, 

Graves). .... 168 

XXII. Narcissus NelsonI and N. Back- 

housel {H. E. Angell). . . 169 

XXIII. Narcissus LeedsII and N. Burbidgel 

(H. E. Angell). . . .172 

XXIV. single and Double Narcissus incom- 

parabilis {H. E. Angell and /. 
H. McFarland). . . .173 

XXV. Big and Little Daffodils {Henry 

Troth) . . . .178 

XXVI. Narcissus poetlcus and the new 
hardy, cluster-flowered N. poetaz 
(H. E. Angell). . . .179 
XXVII. Narcissus tridimus, var. Cloth of 

Gold (H. E. Angell). . . 182 
XXVIII. Campernelle or Jonquil (N. R. 

Graves). . . . .183 

XXIX. A Polyanthus Narcissus, N. Tazet- 

ta {N. R. Graves). . .188 

XXX. Two Dainty Flowers (H. E. 

Angell). . . . .189 

XXXI. Types of Double Van Slon Daffo- 
dils (H.E. Angell). . . 204 
XXXII. Wild Narcissus In Bermuda 

{A. M. Kirby). . . .205 



DAFFODILS 

NARCISSUS 
AND HOW TO GROW THEM 



CHAPTER I 

Old-time and Modern Daffodils and 

Narcissus 

The largest flowers of early spring — Universal adaptation — 
The homes of the wild species — Some early history — A 
word as to prices — The daffodil in legend and verse — 
What is a daffodil or a narcissus? 

The narcissus and daffodil have long been 
the most world-widely popular of all spring 
flowering bulbous plants. It is not alone the 
individual and collective beauty of their flow- 
ers that endears them to our hearts but the 
bravery of their advent, for "the time of the 
daffodil" closes the gates on bleak winter and 
ushers in, with trumpets of gold, longed-for 
spring. 

It is true that these flowers may have been 
preceded by those of snowdrops, scillas, cro- 
cus, etc., with their boisterous weather accom- 
paniments, but the awakening of the daffodils 
— among the earliest of the important flowers 
of a new season — means the advent of mild 
and genuine spring. 

3 



4 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

What pleasurable associations the very 
mention of their names uncurtains among 
those of us who have been fortunate enough 
to be brought up in "old-fashioned garden" 
environment. We recall our annual spring de- 
light in watching the sturdy development 
from mother earth — almost before winter's 
snow had melted — of groups of spear-like 
leaves, followed by big, fat buds that soon 
unsheathed their blossoms of silver and gold. 

V^HERE TO GROW THEM 

The narcissus and daffodils may be success- 
fully grown in so many locations, and under 
so many different conditions of soil, and cli- 
mate, that we need scarcely ask *'where may 
they be grown?" Their freedom from cul- 
tural complications is, indeed, one of their 
chief merits. With the exception of a few of 
the Mediterranean and Oriental types that 
love warm, dry hillsides or well-drained 
rockeries, the great majority of varieties is 
nearly as hardy as rocks, and will grow, thrive 
and flower almost anywhere — in garden beds, 
in herbaceous borders and shrubberies. In 
grassy turf of lawn, meadow or woodland. 



OLD-TIME AND MODERN 5 

year after year, without any special care. 
Of course congenial soil, location and culture 
will produce better results than conditions 
less congenial; deep, cool, well-drained, 
sandy loam, in a semi-shaded situation, being 
the desideratum, but, like grass, they will ex- 
ist almost anywhere, flourishing most luxuri- 
antly when especially well placed. Correct 
garden culture produces the finest individual 
flowers, though the collective wealth of 
beauty of a colony naturalised on a grassy 
slope or stream-side bank is a feast for the eye. 
But it is not exclusively in the open ground 
that narcissus and daffodils may be grown, 
flowered and enjoyed. Most of them (the 
very latest flowering sorts only excluded) arc 
amenable to artificial cultural conditions; that 
is, they may be flowered during the winter in 
conservatory, greenhouse or window. In potSf 
pans or flats of soil, and some of them even 
in nothing more than a bowl of moss or 
gravel and water. 

NARCISSUS AND DAFFODILS IN THE WILD 

Many wild forms of narcissus and daffo- 
dil, with their crosses, are still to be found 



/" 



6 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

in their original locations. The typical nar- 
cissus, or small-cupped poeticus and Tazetta 
types, are indigenous to regions bordering the 
Mediterranean, their centre being in Greece 
and Italy; some of the cluster-flowered Ta- 
zettas (better known as polyanthus narcis- 
sus) are wild in the Orient as far as Asia; the 
trumpet narcissus or true daffodils are mostly 
found wild in Great Britain and Western 
Europe. 

These three important species, with a few 
sub-species of lesser importance, slowly 
spreading inch by inch, annually, by offshoot 
or seed, over mountain and through valley — 
wherever conditions invited — often met; and 
as all wild, single-flowering narcissus produce 
seed, the different types sometimes crossing 
when in proximity and in flower at the same 
timC) they have thus blended and given rise 
to mixed descendants — natural hybrids, some 
of which resemble one parent, some the other. 
Occasionally the offspring or hybrid would be 
so different from either parent that a new 
wild type was produced. 

In addition to the above causes of variety 
in wild narcissus and daffodils, other natural 



OLD-TIME AND MODERN 7 

Influences have assisted In typifying several 
forms. Particularly responsible for this are 
local conditions of soil, climate, altitude and 
season — for environment moulds character 
and fixes types through the survival of the 
fittest. All of these wild types, by the way, 
are favourites for naturalising, as they show 
no deterioration under such conditions, as do 
the larger flowering modem garden hybrids 
when grown wild. 

The first gardens that people had were 
composed of medicinal herbs, then were 
added a few things good to eat, and after- 
wards pretty plants to embellish. Among the 
first chosen flowering plants for gardens were 
narcissus and daffodils. In some gardens, a 
number of collected kinds were grown, which 
sometimes resulted In "garden crosses" and 
the production of new forms and varieties. 
Occasionally, new kinds of marked beauty or 
distinctiveness would be raised. These pleas- 
ing surprises, added to the Intrinsic value of 
the narcissus as garden flowers, fanned the 
Interest of cultivators Into such a glow that 
some cultivators eventually learned to arti- 
ficially cross different types and even become 



8 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

expert In producing definite results. But it 
was not until the last century that any great 
strides were thus made. In the year 1548 
Turner Is supposed to have described all then 
known sorts — numbering twenty-four — In "/^ 
Few Narcissus of Dieverse SortesJ* A hun- 
dred years later species, sub-species and their 
varieties had apparently Increased to ninety- 
four, according to John Parkinson In his 
*^Paradisus Terrestris/' 

Between 1840 and i860, two English ama- 
teurs, William Backhouse, banker of Darling- 
ton, and Edward Leeds, stockbroker of Man- 
chester, did some remarkably good work In 
hybridising narcissus and daffodils. The col- 
lections of seedlings of these two gentlemen 
have been largely responsible for Increasing 
popular Interest in the cultivation and cross- 
ing of narcissus and daffodils during recent 
years. Among other devotees who have also 
done good work are Messrs. Barr, Burbldge, 
Engleheart, Hume and Nelson, all of whom 
have been honoured by having groups, or type 
sections, named after them. 

Daffodils had become so popular that in 
1884 the Royal Horticultural Society of Eng- 



OLD-TIME AND MODERN 9 

land organised a great conference In London, 
and a permanent committee was appointed to 
take cognisance of new varieties of daffodils 
and make suitable awards to the more merit- 
orious. The daffodil craze was now on in 
earnest, and its Impetus has increased con- 
tinuously ever since. Scores of rival enthusi- 
asts in Europe and Great Britain grow and 
cross daffodils and exhibit their flowers 
every year. Very high prices are paid for 
bulbs of particularly choice varieties, many 
of which cannot be purchased for less than 
ten dollars to twenty-five dollars per bulb, 
and a few of the very rare are worth as much 
as fifty dollars, and even one hundred dollars, 
per bulb. 

More than that, there are some daffodils 
that may never be seen by the outside world, 
for a coterie of six wealthy daffodil lovers In 
England buys up the bulbs of any new varie- 
ty of exceptional beauty and merit — if none 
have escaped into commerce — paying extra- 
vagant prices for the sole ownership of the 
coveted beauties, from $500 to $2,000 
sometimes being expended by these enthusiasts 
for five or six bulbs. One of the compacts of 



lO DAFFODILS— NARCISSUS 

this close club is that at the demise of any 
member, his or her bulbs are to be distributed 
among the remaining members of the monop- 
olistic band. 

In practical America, the daffodil fever 
has not, as yet, reached so acute a stage. Old, 
standard varieties, costing from a dollar and 
fifty cents to ten dollars per hundred bulbs, 
generally satisfy the aesthetic tastes of our 
flower lovers. It Is noticed, however, that 
some of the more progressive bulb Importers 
are cataloguing a few of the newer and bet- 
ter kinds, and their answers to our inquiries 
indicate that there Is a growing demand for 
choicer varieties, costing from fifty cents to 
one dollar per bulb. 

At such prices, and even for much less, 
hundreds of beautiful varieties, creditable rep- 
resentatives from all type sections, are pro- 
curable, so that worthy collections may eco- 
nomically be made. Indeed, it is advisable to 
begin with moderate-priced varieties, for the 
higher points of the improved and more ex- 
pensive sorts may not be fully appreciated at 
first by the uninitiated. But in a year or 
two tKe beginner is educated to note the 



Plate II 




AN IDEAL PLANTING 
Daffodils are most happily placed when grouped in clumps in the foreground of a 
niixed shrubbery border. Most varieties of the medium-crown type give satisfaction 
in all sort of conditions, {Narcissus Barni, var. conspicuus) 



OLD-TIME AND MODERN II 

points of superiority in the higher grades, and 
is led on to other indulgences. 

THE NARCISSUS OF OLDEN TIMES 

That narcissus, the ancient, small cupped 
and cluster-flowered sorts, were prized be- 
fore history was recorded, is evidenced by 
wreaths of their flowers being unearthed from 
tombs made hundreds of years before the 
Christian era. That the popularity of nar- 
cissus increased with civilisation is indicated 
by old Greek and Roman writings. It is 
nearly 2000 years since Virgil's "Empurpled 
Narcissus" was penned, and about 1,500 years 
ago that Mohammed said "He that hath two 
cakes of bread, let him sell one of them, for 
bread is only food for the body, but narcis- 
sus Is food for the Soul." Ovid, about the 
year I, poetically crystalizes an ancient legend 
of the birth of Narcissus, the substance of 
which Is as follows: Narcissus, a beautiful 
youth, was so Impervious to the loving ad- 
vances of Echo and other suitors that Nemesis 
answering their prayers for vengeance, caused 
Narcissus to pine away in silent admiration of 



1 2 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

his own image reflected from a mountain 
brook 

"And looking for his corse we only found 
A rising stalk with blossoms crowned." 

MODERN DAFFODILS THREE HUNDRED 
YEARS OLD 

The praises of daffodils — the trumpets — 
have been voiced only during the past three 
centuries by Spenser, Shakespeare, Tenny- 
son, Wordsworth, Keats, and other poets. A 
good-sized volume might be filled with rhap- 
sodical allusions and poetic descriptions from 
the various writers about daffodils, all indica- 
tive of the continued popularity of branches 
of the narcissus family, throughout centuries 
of time. Space, however, forbids our quo- 
ting more than the following classic lines: 

" — Daffodils that come before the swallow d«res 
And take the winds of March with beauty." 

— Shakespeare in "Winter's Tale". 

,,^luttering and dancing in the breeze. ^ 

■"^^ and such are daffodils.'^ 




— Keats. 
2^A thing of beauty is a joy forever 
"I wander'd lonely as a cloud 

That floats on high o'er vales and hills, 
When all at once I saw a crowd, 

A host, of golden daffodils; x 

Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 



OLD-TIME AND MODERN 1 3 

"Continuous as the stars that shine 

And twinkle on the Milky Way, 
They stretched in never-ending line 

Along the margin of the bay; 
Ten thousand saw I at a glance, 
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. 

"The waves beside them danced: but they 
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee: 

A poet could not but be gay. 
In such a jocund company: 

I gazed — and gazed — but little thought 

What wealth the show to me had brought: 

"For oft, when on my couch I lie 

In vacant or in pensive mood, 
They flash upon that inward eye 

Which is the bliss of solitude; 
And then my heart with pleasure fills, 
And dances with the daffodils." 

— William Wordsworth. 

THE TYPICAL DAFFODIL AND NARCISSUS 

Though ''Narcissus" is the botanical title 
of the whole family, the more showy large 
trumpet forms have so dominated that their 
popular name of "daffodil" has come to sig- 
nify all the members of the family included 
in the large crown and medium crown sec- 
tions, embracing the intermediate hybrid 
groups. The name "narcissus" is still re- 
tained popularly for the small-cupped species, 



14 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Narcissus poeticus, N. Tazetta and N. Jon- 
qiiilla. 

The relationship of the flowers can be best 
realized by looking at the diagrams in Plate 
IV. It will be seen that there is a con- 
siderable difference between the exterior 
form of the flowers as well as In their in- 
terior structure. From stem to mouth the 
flowers are practically of the same length, 
but the whorl of so-called petals* — perianth 
segments — is placed near the mouth in typi- 
cal "narcissus" flowers so that there is only 
a shallow cup in front of it. In typical 
"daffodils" the whorl is placed near the base, 
allowing a longer portion called the "trum- 
pet" in front. 

There are also differences of Interior struc- 
ture. In the narcissus proper the stamens are 
in two series of three each, one set being con- 
nected to the tube near the top, the other 
lower down; In daffodils proper the stamens 
are In one series of six — all connected with 
the tube at one point nearly at Its base. Prac- 



* The term petals is used throughout this book to sig- 
nify the perianth segments; it is more convenient and is 
easily understood. 



Plate IV 




TYPES OF FLOWER 

The perianth segments (A) form a collar, as it were, that may be pushed away 
from or closer to the ovary (F) so that there is a definite ratio between the length 
of the tube (B) and the depth of the crown (C) 

The sections:— (i) N. ra2€«a, polyanthus; (2) iV./>omcwj, common narcissus; 
(3) N. Pseudo-Narcissus, trumpet daffodil. The stamens (C) are inserted in 
one series in (3), but in two series in( i) and (2). The pistil is indicated at (D) 
Fig. 2 typifies the short crowned or saucer section 
Fig. 3 is the typical long-crowned flower or trumpet daffodil 
Fig. 4 is N. Sprengeri, a hybrid from A^. Pseudo-Narcissus (2) and N. Tazetta ( i ) 
Fig. s typifies the medium-crowned or cup daffodils, N. incomparabilis, pro- 
duced by crossing N. poeticus{2) and a trumpet daffodil (3) 



1 6 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

tically all narcissus of intermediate form be- 
tween these two extremes are hybrids either 
natural or artificial between the two classes. 
For Instance, A^. Tazetta ( Fig. i ) crossed 
with A^. Pseudo-Narcissus (Fig. 3) has pro- 
duced A^. Sprengeri (Fig. 4). Again, A^. 
poeticus (Fig. 2) crossed with A^. Pseudo- 
Narcissus (Fig. 3) has produced A^. incom- 
parabilis (Fig. 5). As will be seen by a ref- 
erence to the plate the hybrid In each case 
combines some characters from each of the 
parents. 



CHAPTER II 

Daffodils in The Garden Border 

How a bulb grows — Soils and varieties — Planting depths 
and distances — Early planting — Lifting and dividing — 
Winter protection — The ideal mulch — Sunshine and 
shade — Blooms for three months — Cutting flowers — 
How to select bulbs. 

All narcissus and daffodils are bulbous 
plants, and an understanding of the phases 
of a bulb's life will help materially in arriving 
at an intelligent system of cultivation. The 
bulb, the plant's thickened, underground 
storehouse from which the roots descend and 
the stems, leaves and flowers ascend, is fully 
formed by the growing plant after the flower- 
ing period and before growth for the season 
is suspended, and it contains within itself next 
year's flowers and foliage in embryo. In the 
thick, fleshy scales of the bulb is stored up a 
supply of food to support the new growth in 
early spring; these scales also serve as shields 
to protect the leaves and flower from Injury, 
from cold or other external conditions, 

^^7 



1 8 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

The dormant period for these bulbs ranges 
from July to November, during which they 
may be dug from the ground, stored, and 
shipped around the world If desired. When 
replanted where soil and climatic conditions 
are congenial, the bulb develops leaves and 
flowers with as much luxuriance as if it had 
remained undisturbed in its original environ- 
ment. 

The bulbs of narcissus and daffodils vary 
greatly in size, according to age and kind. 
The Tazettas, or polyanthus narcissus, make 
the biggest bulbs, averaging from six to nine 
inches In circumference. Some groups, as 
triandrus, cyclamineus, Bulbocodlum, etc., 
make full-grown bulbs not much larger than 
peas; while the great majority of our com- 
monly grown narcissus and daffodils make 
bulbs of four to six inches maximum circum- 
ference. 

SOIL PREFERENCES 

With very few exceptions, the hardy nar- 
cissus and daffodils revel In coolness and a 
deep moisture-holding, air-penetrable soil, 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER I9 

overlying a pervious subsoil, and In partial 
shade. Though they will grow and flower, 
most accommodatingly In any garden soil of 
average quality, yet they will do far better 
under more congenial soil conditions. Cir- 
cumstances do not always permit us to pro- 
vide these perfect conditions and we have to 
plan accordingly. 

If there be a choice of several sites, It will 
be well to plant the different groups sepa- 
rately; the single yellow and bicolor trumpets 
In moderately moist but well underdrained 
loam; the poeticus types In heavier, damper, 
lower ground (particularly the double gar- 
denia flowered form, alba plena, which will 
flower only when grown in heavy damp soil). 

In warm climates the popular old "Double 
Daffodil" or Double Van Slon (A^. telamo^ 
nius, var. plenus) also requires a damp moist 
soil to retain Its rich yellow colouring as on a 
dry light soil in a hot situation it Is apt to 
produce greenish-yellow flowers, and In some 
cases, even, all-green flowers. 

The drier soils or high ground will answer 
for the white trumpet daffodils; and the dry, 
sunny, well-drained hillside or rockery, with 



20 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

warm exposure, should receive the Bulboco- 
dlum, cyclamlneus and triandrus sections. 

Although most of the Important type 
groups of the narcissus family like cool, moist 
soil, yet it Is essential that the moisture be not 
stagnant; that is, water must not remain con- 
tinuously about the bulbs nor roots, but be 
drained away from below. "Wet feet" pre- 
vents maximum root development, and is apt, 
sooner or later, to cause "basal-rot" In the 
bulbs. Maintained moisture with abundant 
soil aeration Is the ideal while the bulbs are 
in growth and flower. 

The old idea that there Is as much of the 
tree below ground as there Is above is also ap- 
proximately true of the narcissus and if the 
plant grows i8 inches high the roots pene- 
trate the earth to approximately the same 
depth. It may be more practical to reverse 
this order of reasoning and say that if the 
roots can only forage six inches below the sur- 
face the growth of the plant and flowers 
above will be correspondingly small and stun- 
ted. The whole secret of success In pro- 
ducing the best, the largest, the most perfect 
and the richest coloured flowers and foliage Is 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 21 

maximum root development — and root devel- 
opment Is entirely dependent upon congenial 
soil conditions. Your neighbour may buy and 
merely plant In his garden a few Glory of 
Leiden daffodils and get flowers three Inches 
across, very handsome and thoroughly pleas- 
ing to him. You, knowing a little more of 
what that variety Is capable of doing, and 
knowing how to prepare the bed, produce 
flowers live Inches across ! 

PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 

Where nature does not supply the Ideal 
conditions, our aim must be to reproduce them 
as nearly as possible. 

Light, dry, sandy or gravelly soils must 
be made heavier and more retentive of mois- 
ture. This may be done by manuring and 
then growing crimson clover, peas, or some 
"green crop" that can be dug under to decay 
and add humus, absorbent, sponge-like vege- 
table matter, to the soil. While this may be 
done In the spring so that the soil will be In 
fairly good condition by daffodil planting 
time In September, It will be far better to 
make the preparations a year ahead. 



2 2 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

If previous preparation is not practicable, 
something may be done by starting two or 
three weeks before planting time. Remove 
the top soil to a spade's depth — six to eight 
inches — and work into the underlying soil to 
the depth of a spade, a two-inch layer of thor- 
oughly rotted stable manure. Then replace 
the top soil. The object of using the manure 
is not so much to supply fertility as it is to 
assist in holding moisture, preventing its too 
rapid leaching. Under any other conditions, 
the use of stable manure for narcissus and 
daffodils the year of planting is not desirable 
unless it be put a considerable depth below 
the bottom of the bulbs. Under no condi- 
tions must the manure be mixed with the 
upper soil, or where it would be in contact 
with the bulb. 

Year after year, until I learned to be more 
strict, I used to see here and there a sickly, 
yellowish-leaved, stunted daffodil plant. An 
examination of the soil almost invariably dis- 
closed a lump of manure either in contact with 
the bulb or where its roots should have been, 
probably had been, but were destroyed by 
contact with raw manure. "No roots, no flow- 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 23 

ers; poor roots, poor flowers; good roots, 
good flowers." 

Heavy, wet clay soils need mellowing as a 
general thing, although some of the strong 
growing yellow and bicolor trumpet daffodils, 
and all of the poeticus and Burbidgel types 
will often make good growth and flower well 
for a time in heavy soil. Yet some plants 
eventually fail. 

Underdrainage, either with tile or triangle- 
shaped board conduits placed three feet be- 
low the surface, and twelve to twenty feet 
apart, according to circumstances, is the cor- 
rective for wet, heavy soils. These drains 
are laid with a slight fall to an outlet, thus 
leading off the surplus water. The benefit 
of underdrainage is not only In drawing off 
surplus water, from below but also in opening 
the soil, allowing air to enter. The next best 
thing to underdrainage is subsoil plowing, or 
digging fully eighteen Inches deep. 

When previous manuring and preparation 
have not been done, use nothing but pure 
ground bone at the rate of two to four ounces 
on a square yard evenly strewn over the soil 
and dug in. Follow this by some high class 



24 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

commercial fertilizer, rich In potasH, at the 
rate of one to two ounces to a square yard 
just before leveling and raking. 

On light, sandy soils. In addition, soon 
after the bulbs are planted, give sul- 
phate of potash, about one ounce to a square 
yard. Potash In some form, even that con- 
tained In unleached wood ashes, deepens the 
colouring of the flowers and checks abnormal 
growth of plant and foliage. 

PLANTING DEPTHS AND DISTANCES VARY 

The stereotyped answer to the question, 
"How far apart and how deep shall I plant 
the bulbs?" Is this: "Plant six Inches apart 
and cover the bulbs three Inches." While 
being approximately correct for the average 
growing varieties, the Instruction requires 
modification to suit different soils, large or 
small growing varieties, and temporary or 
permanent plantings. Narcissus and daffo- 
dil bulbs vary as greatly In size as the plants 
and flowers they produce. Those of the 
Bulbocodium, triandrus, and one or two other 
groups grow no bigger than large peas, pro- 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 25 

ducing small plants which may be grown three 
inches apart. Some full sized bulbs of other 
groups attain a circumference of six to eight 
inches, and make plants sometimes two feet 
high and of correspondingly large girth. 
These should be planted six to ten inches 
apart. 

In light soils, plant deeper than in heavy 
soils. If planting only for the next spring's 
effect, with the intention of supplanting the 
daffodils with summer flowering plants, closer 
planting can be done than if the bulbs are to 
remain undisturbed for several years. 

In my own garden, with average soil, I 
cover the bulb with a depth of soil fully equal- 
ling its largest circumference. This places 
the base of the great majority of bulbs (the 
poeticus, the trumpets, the incomparabilis va- 
rieties) about four inches below the surface 
of the ground. In lighter soils, this would be 
increased one-half. Deep planting is always 
safer, especially in cold, exposed localities; but 
deeply planted bulbs flower later than shal- 
lower planted ones. On the other hand, late 
flowers are often larger and have better sub- 
stance than earlier flowers of the same variety. 



26 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

That at least some narcissus will thrive 
when planted unusually deep was exemplified 
in a group of old-fashioned double daffodils, 
growing in the lower end of a hillside border 
which I had filled in during the fall when the 
daffodils were dormant and leafless and so for- 
gotten. But they were not to be smothered 
with a covering of fifteen inches of soil and 
surprised us In the spring by blooming with 
unusual luxuriance, though about two weeks 
later than usual — and they have continued 
this performance for several years. 

WHEN TO PLANT 

Plant daffodils at any time between July 
and November and the earlier the better. The 
family Is an exception to the generality of 
bulbous plants, and under natural conditions 
commences making new roots soon after the 
bulbs ripen, which, according to the earliness 
of the variety, is, in the latitude of New York, 
in June or July. 

The poeticus types and their hybrids are 
especially resentful of being kept dry and dor- 
mant. When left In the ground they accept 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 27 

no resting period but begin new root action 
almost before the old roots have matured. 

Imported bulbs are not likely to be received 
before the middle of September, therefore 
It Is well to have all preparations made In 
advance so that the bulbs can be planted at 
once. The more root growth made before 
winter, the larger the flowers. Late planted 
bulbs usually give fairly satisfactory results 
the next spring; but full-sized, characteristic 
flowers from late planted bulbs cannot be ex- 
pected until the second spring, though bulbs 
lifted from the ground in July and at once 
replanted, will give maximum blooms the 
next season. 

GARDEN PLANTING 

Small bulbing daffodils, those making bulbs 
not larger than an inch in diameter, are 
quickly and easily planted with a garden 
dibber. This tool is thrust into the ground 
far enough to make a hole of the proper 
depth. It Is then wiggled back and forth to 
enlarge the hole at the bottom, so the swol- 
len base of the bulb may come in contact 
with the soil. If this is not done, the bulb 



28 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

may "hang" midway down, leaving an air 
space below, which, if not actually detrimen- 
tal, is certainly not good feeding ground for 
the young roots. 

The bulbs of varieties too large to go in 
the holes made by the dibber are best planted 
with a trowel, by which a hole of proper size 
and depth is scooped out. After the bulbs 
are placed — whatever method of making the 
hole is employed — they are to be covered with 
soil which If not "sticky damp" should be 
pressed very firmly, by hand or foot, into con- 
tact with the bulb. 

PLANTING IN TURF 

Different methods of planting In sod 
ground are resorted to according to the diffi- 
culties encountered in making holes to re- 
ceive the bulbs. 

When the sod Is sufficiently moist and soft, 
the quickest way is to use a spade handle 
sharpened dibber-like with a cross piece for a 
foot rest, fastened about 6 Inches from the 
point. Another way Is to thrust a spade or 
digging fork slantingly into the sod and soil, 
and raising the handle, thus lifting sod and 



0- 



c 




[ ; 


C 




J-t 






Lh 

a 


c 




ri 












rt 










3 


n 




o 




Plate VI 




THE POET'S NARCISSUS NATURALISED 

The white poet's narcissus (A'", poeticus) is one of the latest blooming varieties. 
It lasts well as a cut flower, and prefers heavier, damper, lower ground than the trum- 
pet daffodils. At Highland Park, Rochester, N. Y. 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 29 

soil SO that one or more bulbs may be Inserted 
in the cleft. Then pull out the spade and 
tramp the sod back Into its former position. 
This will leave the bulbs In a slanting position', 
which seems to make no difference to their 
growth and flowering, the plants coming up 
just as straight as if the bulbs had been placed 
perpendicularly. 

SAND CUSHIONS 

In heavy ground, or low-lying situations, 
where an undue amount of moisture from 
melting snow or other causes keeps the soil 
continuously wet for weeks during the spring, 
place a handful of sand under and around the 
bulb of any rare and delicate variety, partic- 
ularly the white trumpet daffodils. This will 
often prevent them from becoming diseased, 
as the sand allows the water to drain away 
from the bulb. 

LIFTING AND DIVIDING 

The natural Increase by offsets of some va- 
rieties IS so great that the second year after 
planting, the number of bulbs will be trebled. 



/ 



30 



DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 



But most sorts are not so prolific. Still, in 
time, varying from three to six years, ac- 
cording to variety, soil, and the distance 
apart the bulbs were originally planted, the 
clumps of plants will have become so crowded, 
and probably the soil so exhausted, or both, 
that fewer and smaller flowers will be pro- 
duced. It is then time to dig up the bulbs, 
separate them and their offsets (young bulbs) 
and replant, either in fresh ground or in re- 
newed soil in their old locations. This opera- 
tion Is called lifting and dividing. 

The best time to do this, as a rule. Is when 
the foliage has yellowed one-third down from 
the top, but some varieties, particularly those 
comprising the poeticus, Burbidgei and 
odorus groups, and possibly some others, 
should be lifted even sooner, for the reason 
that new root growth commences before the 
foliage has ripened down. In these cases 
the later lifting Is injurious to the tender 
rootlets which are likely to die off, weak- 
ening the bulb and reducing the size of the 
next season's flowers, even If It does not 
prevent flowering altogether. Of course. 
If fully ripened bulbs can be immediately re- 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 3 1 

planted, without the young roots being ex- 
posed to sun, air-drying or handling, the dan- 
ger of Injury will be lessened; but it is difficult 
to properly divide freshly lifted bulbs and 
their offsets on account of the adhesiveness 
of the soil and matting of wiry old roots. 
Therefore, it is considered good practice to 
lift early — better too early than too late — 
store the clumps in a cool, airy, shady place 
(preferably In trays) and there let them ripen 
and cure until the old leaves and roots are 
dry, when they are easily cleaned off and 
divided. 

The actual work of "lifting^' should be 
done by a spading fork. Never take a spade 
for this purpose, as the danger of cutting the 
bulbs is increased. Insert the fork a few 
inches from the clump, until the tines are com- 
pletely buried. Work it from side to side and 
up and down to loosen the mass. Then in- 
cline the fork so that it will pass under the 
bulbs and the clump is removed. 

*'DIvIdIng'^ Is a term expressing the opera- 
tion of separating bulbs held together by 
matted and Intermingled roots and removing 
the offsets or young bulbs from the mother 



32 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

bulbs. This Is best done just before replant- 
ing. Do not remove any offset unless it is 
entirely detached from the mother bulb, with 
the exception of the union at the base. This 
may be cut through with a sharp knife 
if the variety is choice, though the common 
sorts are usually merely broken apart. Be 
sure not to cut or break through any other sub- 
stance of the bulbs than the basal plate. Any 
surplus offsets which cannot be accommodated 
in the garden may well be used for natural- 
ising in the grass. 

Commercial growers dig and divide their 
bulbs every year, a practice that may be justi- 
fied on a business basis, though I feel sure 
that the commercial stocks of some varieties 
would have better constitutions and produce 
bigger and stronger bulbs if these growers 
would dig and divide them only every second 
year. 

WINTER MULCHING AND PROTECTION 

During the summer, nature provides a 
mulch by covering the ground with weeds. 
We, in opposition, cultivate to kill the weeds 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 33 

and In doing so — unconsciously perhaps — 
form a different mulch of cultivated soil, 
which breaks the capillarity of the soil, and 
prevents the sun's heat and drying winds 
from drawing up and dissipating the soils' 
moisture. The winter mulch while to some 
extent rendering the same service as a sum- 
mer mulch, has additional duties; its object 
is not only to maintain an even underground 
moisture and temperature but also to prevent 
the surface soil from freezing too deeply, and 
• — still more important — 'it must keep the 
frozen soil from thawing during unseason- 
ably warm winter weather and early spring 
thaws. 

The net result of these alternations of 
frost and thaw is "heaving," by which the 
surface soil is lifted and broken apart. Thus 
shallow-planted bulbs are often lifted and 
torn from their fall made roots which are 
anchored in the lower layers of soil. The win- 
ter mulch then holds together the soil and Its 
contained bulbs and should not be removed 
until settled spring weather justifies it. 

In the wild, nature provides the mulch. 
When naturalised in grass, the leaves and 



34 



DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 



Stalks of the grass ripen, bend over or break, 
and finally settle down, forming an ideal 
blanket, giving both warmth and airiness. 
In shrubberies, the fallen leaves accomplish 
the same result. Nature's mulch is lightened 
by the winds of March and the balance is 
reduced by decay. In garden culture, it is 
not practicable to follow these gradations in 
covering and uncovering. The best that we 
can do is to cover, or mulch, as soon as the 
surface of the ground is frozen to a crust, 
not before, and to remove the mulch in the 
spring after hard freezing weather is over — 
before the growth of the bulbs has penetrated 
the mulch sufficiently to prevent its removal 
without injuring the young top growth. 

/ THE BEST KIND OF MULCH 



I have used several materials for mulching 
my bulbs and have seen still other materials 
used by others. The answer to the question 
''What Is the best mulch" depends largely 
on what Is available. The one direct lesson 
from nature Is warmth, with air. In Hol- 
land the water rushes are used and they are 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 35 

ideal, but they are not always available. I 
have a friend who grows narcissus and daffo- 
dils, In cold, bleak, northerly exposed, hillside 
ground, who uses a six-inch covering of forest 
leaves, and usually with great success. These 
are held In place by a few branches of trees. 
Towards spring this leaf blanket settles down 
to a compact mass about four Inches thick, 
which In a less exposed and warmer location 
would give too much warmth and induce too 
early growth. In warm situations possibly 
a four-Inch covering of leaves would answer 
well. 

I have generally used strawy manure and 
with success when the winter has held steadily 
cold and kept the ground frozen until the 
manure could be removed before any bulb 
growth had penetrated It. But, sometimes, 
the manure covering has given disappoint- 
ment, as when prematurely warm spells have 
brought up an early growth which came In 
contact with the manure. This condition pre- 
vailed In the spring of 1906. As the plants 
developed, there were Irregular streaks of 
sickly yellow leaved plants throughout the 
beds. I could not account for this as I knew 



36 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

the beds were well drained and the soil prop- 
erly prepared, and the bulbs had been planted 
early. Mr. De Graaflf, the well-known daffo- 
dil grower of Holland, was a visitor that sea- 
son and soon convinced me that the whole 
source of trouble was with the manure cov- 
ering. A fungus seemed to have run through 
It and had attacked the young growth of the 
narcissus; In some cases traveling down the 
leaves to the bulbs and even to the roots. He 
said: "Use no more manure. If you cannot 
get reeds or rushes, try sphagum moss or 
cocoanut fibre refuse." A three-inch layer of 
cocoanut fibre refuse Is light and airy, 
retains an even degree of moisture and Is 
sufficiently warm. It Is an Ideal cover. It 
costs five dollars per ton at any factory where 
cocoa mats and such things are made though 
of course there Is a freight charge to be added. 
Salt meadow hay makes an excellent cov- 
ering, and even ordinary straw and hay may 
be used. Put It on four to six Inches thick, 
according to the coldness of the latitude and 
the exposure. Should any of these harbor 
mice, there Is little likelihood of their doing 
any damage If the covering is put on, as it 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 37 

should be, after the surface of the ground 
has frozen to a hard crust. 

In the spring, as soon as the ground is 
workable, after the winter covering has been 
removed, stir the soil with a narrow rake, 
hand fork, or prong weeder, to break up the 
hard-packed surface and so enable the plants 
to come through easily. If this is not done 
where the soil is heavy the growths will lift 
whole chunks of the surface soil and the pres- 
sure often causes the leaves and flower stalks 
to become crooked or otherwise deformed. 

GROUPING IN GARDENS 

Daffodils are most happily placed when 
growing in clumps in the foreground of a 
border of mixed shrubs and herbaceous plants. 
The shrubs supply sufficient shelter, and shade 
at all times, and the herbaceous plants grow 
up and hide the ripening daffodil foliage as 
is begins to get unsightly. Here the bulbs 
may remain undisturbed to flourish and In- 
crease for several years, or until a reduction 
In size and quantity of flowers Indicates a 
too crowded condition, exhausted soil, or 



38 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

both. Where that occurs, lift the clumps, 
divide and replant, as before explained. 

Plant each variety by Itself In Irregular 
colonies of from twelve to twenty-five bulbs, 
each group In a little bay with a background 
of greenery; In the next bay, plant a colony 
of some distinct type that flowers either earlier 
or later, and so on. Such an arrangement 
brings out the full beauties of the varieties, 
prevents any Inharmonious clashes, and by 
intermingling the early, mid-season and later 
flowering varieties, a long succession of bloom 
may be enjoyed in all parts of the border. 

Daffodils may also be bedded out like hya- 
cinths and tulips, and very effectively too. Yet 
they never appear so beautiful as when col- 
onised In the mixed border. 

RELATION TO SUNSHINE AND SHADE 

The largest and most richly colored flowers 
are those grown in partial shade, although 
most varieties (particularly those having 
flowers of thick substance) do well when ex- 
posed to the full sun. Their flowers last 
longer when protected to some extent, from 
the heat of the noonday sun. This can be 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 39 

provided by shrubbery, overhanging limbs 
of trees, etc. All white flowered varieties, 
and even the bi-colour or white winged trum- 
pets are particularly grateful for some shade; 
and the rich colouring of the new red-orange 
rimmed crown varieties is only retained when 
the flowers are shielded from the sun. If 
necessary cut the flowers when about half 
open and allow them to develop in water, 
in a cool shaded place. This is a factor that 
the American amateur should consider 
when studying the latest European lists, as 
I have learned from experience. I bought 
some new sorts described in terms such as 
"perianth showy white, cup rich golden yel- 
low, broadly edged with brilliant scarlet," 
etc., and paid two dollars for each bulb, but 
could not at first make the colouring of the 
cups support the description. Eventually 1 
learned that my failure was caused by my 
own lack of knowledge, and now all choice, 
highly coloured, and white daffodils are 
grown under a shade of tobacco cloth. 

This is a sort of coarse meshed, strong 
cheesecloth that comes just one rod wide and 
is fastened on wire runners carried on top 



40 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

of posts eight feet above the ground. Suffici- 
ent sunlight filters through for perfect devel- 
opment of flowers and colouring and more- 
over It makes an agreeable shade for anyone 
to study the flowers. Other advantages of this 
protector — which Is put on just as soon as the 
mulch Is removed — are tempering late frosts 
and breaking the force of heavy rains, thus 
preventing the bearing down of tall flower 
stalks and splashing with dirt. The cloth 
may be rolled up and put away for another 
season just as soon as the plants are through 
flowering, thus permitting the full sunshine 
to accomplish Its work of thoroughly ripen- 
ing the foliage and bulbs. If we want good 
flowers the succeeding season, the plants must 
have abundant light and sun to complete their 
growth. In hot Australia and New Zealand 
daffodil amateurs make lath houses and cover 
the tops with tree boughs. 

BLOOM FOR THREE MONTHS 

With a proper selection of types and varie- 
ties embracing extra early, early, mid-season, 
late and extra late sorts, the *'tlme of the 
daffodil" may be extended in the open ground 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 4I 

over a period of three months; but only 
where a variety of locations is available, in- 
fluenced by depth of planting, and assisted 
by depth and retention of mulch. 

To accomplish this, we need consider only 
the varieties flowering at the two extremes of 
the season. The ''come-betweens," comprising, 
at a rough guess, 75 per cent, of the genus, 
will supply an abundance of bloom through- 
out their normal periods and we need there- 
fore consider them no further now. 

What we need to do is to make some of 
the extra earlies flower still earlier and some 
of the extra lates flower still later than nor- 
mal. A choice of locations — early and late 
grounds — is the main necessity; the other 
contributory essentials we have under our own 
control. 

To appreciate the difference between early 
and late grounds, take note where the snows 
always melt first — there the sun lingers long- 
est and it is ''early ground" compared to 
where the snows melt last, which Is usually 
on the north or shade side of a clump of 
shrubbery, fence or hedge. This will be the 
"late" ground. The difference in time between 



42 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

these melting snows will indicate how much 
the normal daffodil flowering season may be 
extended. By putting some bulbs of your extra 
earlles in the early ground, mulching but light- 
ly and removing same early, and by planting 
some extra lates in the late ground, covering 
deeply, say with six Inches of soil, and retain- 
ing the mulch as long as possible, the desired 
result Is assured. This fact was brought for- 
cibly to my notice by accident soon after I 
commenced growing daffodils, although at 
that time my garden area was only a 20x30 
foot yard. The bed on the south side of the 
fence was fully three weeks earlier than that 
on the north side, and bulbs of the same vari- 
ety, planted on both sides, commenced flower- 
ing three weeks apart. 

When one's enthusiasm in daffodil culture 
leads to experiments in crossing types and ral^ 
ing new seedlings, one will want to cross vari- 
eties that may flower one or more weeks apart. 
By reversing the directions just given and 
planting the late sort in the early ground, 
and the early sort in the late ground, one can 
bring the two in flower simultaneously so that 
they may be hybridized without resorting to 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 43 

the more troublesome method of forcing the 
late sort Into flower under glass. 

CUTTING THE FLOWERS 

When flowers of narcissus and daffodils are* 
to be cut for house decoration or for shipping,, 
they should be taken when partially open, al- 
most In the bud state. If the stems are then 
at once placed In water In a cool shaded place, 
the flowers develop larger and more richly 
coloured than they would have done If al- 
lowed to expand on the plant; and they also 
last longer. 

In vasing daffodil flowers, their own foli- 
age usually harmonises better and sets them 
off better than any other greenery. But do 
not for this reason cut the foliage of choice 
varieties, for It Is needed by tTie plant to assist 
In properly ripening and storing up the suc- 
ceeding season's flower. Use foliage from 
the more abundant commoner kinds, and it 
will be equally effective. 

SELECTING THE BULBS 

For garden planting or for pots or forcing 
where flowers of maximum size and quality 



44 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

are desired always choose "top" bulbs or the 
best bulbs the variety produces; but for per- 
manent plantings and naturalising the smaller 
younger and cheaper "seconds" may be used. 
In selecting bulbs for "Exhibition flowers," 
an expert will choose the largest old "single 
crown" bulbs, which give larger but fewer 
flowers than the "double crown" or "mother 
bulbs." 

As different varieties of narcissus and daffo- 
dils make bulbs varying from half an inch 
to eight inches in circumference, it is difficult 
for us to tell how to select the largest old 
single crown bulbs of all varieties without 
making the following explanation of their 
manner of growth. 

Specialised types (varieties) of narcissus 
not seedlings, are increased by offsets, the 
latter being produced by the "breaking up" 
of the mother bulb. These offsets at- 
tain full growth and vitality usually In 
about four years. The next year probably 
these bulbs will develop into the "double 
and triple nose" form (two or more bulbs in 
one skin). They then are "mothers" an3 
the succeeding year will probably break up. 




O! — 91 

zH 

a: n ^ 

SC 3 
fc.^ tn 
— - CJ 

^ c^ o 
' o 



•P i = 



c.£ o 



^^ 


^ 


ti — 


„^ 




c 






^^ 




^ il 


c 




}^ 






o 




3; " 


_I 


/~ 


■^ 


— i 


.X 










?~- 


■^ 


c ~ 


^ 






x 










\^ 


v: 




a 




:£ 


F c 


u 


^- 


::: 


5 s 


^ 


u: 


— 


_£ 2 


"3 


Ji, 


3; 


y; -y 


■~ 










< 


~ 


r ^ 


s 




























■^ ^ 


c 












^ 


"C ; 


"' 




•A 


:^ — 


N 














-J-. 






C 










^ ^ 


£ 




^ 


12 w 


c 




^ 


-^ "T 


3 




~ 


^^ t: 


•ja 



yr c >- > 
■r ? i t* 

lie:! 



^^•il 



IN THE GARDEN BORDER 45 

It Is at the maximum single crown age, 
just before entering the ''mother" stage, that 
the bulbs should be chosen for maximum 
flowers. Bulbs bought from a reliable dealer 
will probably be of just the right age, unless 
his price Is considerably less than the average 
price of other reliable dealers, when It Is 
more than probable that his bulbs are a year 
or two younger. If It Is possible to examine 
the dealer's stock of bulbs, look out for a few 
"double nosed" bulbs as their presence Indi- 
cates the age of the crop and shows that the 
"singles" among them have attained maxi- 
mum size and age In single crown formation. 

Another thing to be considered Is health. 
This Is Indicated by solidity, weight and skin. 
Bulbs solid and weighty for their size are 
most likely In perfect health and vitality. To 
test any, press lightly between thumb and 
fingers both base and neck and If either feels 
soft and giving or "spongy" examine more 
carefully. Should any basal rot be found re- 
ject the infected bulbs to prevent dissemina- 
tion of the disease. Or if the bulb be of a 
choice variety It may be planted away from 
the healthy ones. A handful of sand below 



46 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

and about an Invalid bulb permits the water 
to drain away and the bulb may recover. 

Look for a clean, shiny skin, indicating 
freedom from any fungus, although a rough 
skin, though suspicious, does not necessarily 
mean a diseased bulb. 



CHAPTER III 
Flowering Daffodils in Winter 

Important factors — The best soil and its preparation — 
Getting bulbs early — How to order — August planting — 
Pots and potting — Pans or pots — What plunging does — 
The ash packing — Danger from heat — Importance of 
good roots — Forcing into bloom — What to do after 
flowering — Varieties. 

It is an easy matter to grow narcissus in 
the house and have some varieties flower by 
Christmas, and from that time both narcissus 
and daffodils may be brought into flower In 
increasing variety and quantity until spring. 

The growing plants need occupy no space 
In the window garden, or conservatory, ex- 
cepting while In bud and blooming, and their 
flowering period may be hastened or retarded 
at pleasure to keep up the succession. For 
earliest blooms the earlier flowering varieties 
of the Tazetta group are grown, particularly 
Paper White and Double Roman; these are 
often in flower even earlier than Christmas. 

Successful winter flowering is dependent 
upon four factors : 

47 



48 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

1. Early planting. Procure the bulbs as 
early as possible and pot up at once. 

2. Plenty of time to root thoroughly out of 
doors. Allow about twelve weeks for hardy 
varieties and six weeks for tender Tazetta 
varieties. 

3. Slow growth when first brought into 
the house, giving ventilation and keeping the 
room or house cool: 50° until budded, then 
60° to 6^"" for flowering. 

4. Plenty of water when the buds are de- 
veloping and when In flower. 

MAKING A GOOD POTTING SOIL 

The ideal potting soil for daffodils is pre- 
pared six months or more before using. It 
should be sod taken from rich loamy land. 
Make your "mould pile'* by first putting 
down a layer of Inverted sod, and then cov- 
ering this with a layer of old manure — cow 
manure, thoroughly rotted, is the best. Over 
this spread a layer of leaf mould. Proceed 
In that way with another layer of Inverted 
sod, etc., until the required quantity Is stacked. 
This should be in the proportion of 50 per 
cent, loam sod, 25 per cent, manure, 25 per 



FLOWERING IN WINTER 49 

cent, leaf mould. Compost this by turning 
the pile three or four times during the season 
to get all ingredients thoroughly mixed. Be- 
fore using, add about four quarts of sand and 
two quarts of fine bone meal to a bushel of 
the mould. 

If it is too much trouble for an amateur 
to prepare the soil as directed, it would be 
better to buy prepared potting soil from a 
florist, than to rely on the ordinary garden 
soil. Of course, it will be necessary to add 
the sand and bone meal just the same. The 
next best thing, if, for some reason, soil pre- 
pared in advance by yourself or the florist 
is not available, is to lift some sod, tear it 
apart, shaking out the soil and allowing the 
small pieces of fibrous grass roots to remain 
in it. Add bone meal and sand as in the other 
case, but omit manure. This last injunction 
is of paramount importance. 

IMPORTANCE OF AUGUST POTTING 

Too much emphasis cannot be put on this : 
get your bulbs as early as possible and pot 
at once. 



5 O DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

A general order for daffodil bulbs sent to 
the bulb dealer will not be filled in the usual 
course of things until he can complete the 
order and so ship the whole lot at one time — 
that Is, after the arrival of the Dutch, Eng- 
lish, Irish and Guernsey bulbs, which means 
that you get your bulbs about the middle of 
September. Be emphatic, therefore. In giving 
instructions to ship the bulbs "as they come 
in." The purchaser then receives early in 
August, the South of France and Asia Minor 
bulbs including Paper White, Double Roman, 
and two or three others of the older Tazetta 
varieties, as well as three or four varieties 
of the old standard trumpet sorts — ^probably 
Spurius major, Golden Spur, and Emperor. 
Be very chary about accepting any Double 
Van Sion from these sections as they are apt 
to produce flowers with some or much green 
in them. It is just possible that the bulb 
dealer will also have a shipment in July or 
early In August of a few sorts of home grown 
bulbs from Virginia, probably Golden Spur,. 
Emperor, Empress, BarrI consplcuus, poetl- 
cus, and ornatus. 

With a start of even half a dozen varieties 



FLOWERING IN WINTER 5 1 

In August, and the arrival of the European 
varieties In September, It Is perfectly easy 
to have a grand show of narcissus and daffo- 
dils all winter from Christmas on. The ob- 
ject of getting the bulbs potted early is to glv^ 
them plenty of time to "make root" — three 
months Is none too long — for remember that 
without good roots, good flowers cannot be 
produced even from the best bulbs. 

POTS AND POTTING 

I prefer to use five or six incK pots with 
several bulbs In each. The large potful not 
only gives better and more pleasing results, 
but Is easier to manage than a small pot. One 
Golden Spur daffodil may be grown and 
flowered successfully In a four-inch pot, but 
!t requires more watching and care, is more 
susceptible to changes of moisture, etc., than 
three or more Golden Spurs In a six-Inch pot. 
In other words. It Is better to suit your bulbs 
to the pot than to suit the pot to the bulb. 
An inch of space between the bulbs In a pot 
IS ample. 

In the case of small-bulbing varieties, such 
as the Bulbocodlum, triandrus, and cyclami- 



5 2 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

neus groups, a dozen or more bulbs may well 
be grown In a five or six-inch pot. On the 
other hand, the big-bulbing Tazetta varieties 
can only go one bulb to a six-inch pot. The 
great majority of the trumpet and crown 
daffodils can be planted 3 to 5 bulbs to a six- 
Inch pot. Plant only one variety In a pot; 
different varieties of different heights and not 
flowering simultaneously give an unsatisfac- 
tory result. 

The pots to be used must be washed clean,' 
if old ones; and If they are new, soak them 
thoroughly In water so that the pots them- 
selves will not dry out the soil after potting. 
Before putting In the soil, provide for good 
drainage by placing two or three pieces of 
broken pots over the hole In the bot- 
tom of the pot, to prevent it from getting 
stopped up. Cover this drainage with a small 
layer of sphagnum moss, cocoanut fibre refuse 
or old fibrous roots that have been shaken out 
of sod; then fill in with soil until, when it is 
shaken down and a bulb set on it, the top of 
the bulb Is almost up to the top of the pot. 

Place the requisite number of bulbs In po- 
sition, and fill In with soil to within half an 



FLOWERING IN WINTER 53 

inch of the top (this much space being needed 
for watering). A little of the neck of each 
bulb will remain exposed, excepting In the 
case of the very small pea-like bulbs of minia- 
ture varieties, which should be covered with 
soil to a depth of about half an inch. 

If earthen pans are used, the procedure 
will be the same as for pots. Eight-Inch 
pans make ideal receptacles and when the 
plants are in flower look better than pots. 
Shallow boxes (flats) are used when flowers 
are to be grown in quantity for cutting. This 
is discussed in detail in Chapter V. 

AFTER POTTING COMES ''pLUNGING" 

The secret of success in flowering bulbs is 
to make them develop roots before top growth 
starts. The object of '^plunging" potted bulbs 
out of doors is to induce them to do this by 
keeping the lower portion of the bulbs 
warmer than the top. Failure to do this is 
responsible for most disappointments In grow- 
ing and flowering bulbs under artificial con- 
ditions. Without roots the flower can only 
develop as far as the stored up nutriment In 
the bulb will sustain it; and, as the bulb's 



54 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

supply of food is generally exhausted before 
the flower is half grown, nutrition supplied 
by the roots then becomes essential. It is 
easy to understand, therefore, that growth 
ceases if no roots are at work and the stunted 
plant becomes a monument to incompetent 
treatment. 

There are various ways of plunging the 
potted bulbs; my method, and the one that I 
think most nearly fulfils the requirements of 
nature, is to dig a trench in the garden a 
foot deep in some location sheltered from the 
north and west, and where water will not flow 
into it. A three-inch layer of coal ashes is 
placed in the bottom of the trench for drain- 
age and to prevent worms from entering the 
pots. The pots or pans of bulbs are then 
placed closely together on the ashes and the 
interstices filled with soil, the trench being 
filled in to a little above the level, and the 
surface rounded over to shed water. Here 
everything is as conducive to root action and 
deterrent to top growth as if the bulbs were 
planted in the garden in the regular manner. 
When the surface of the ground is frozen to 
a crust, a layer, three or four inches deep, of 



FLOWERING IN WINTER 55 

salt hay, straw, or leaves Is put over all. 

Another way Is to set the pots on the sur- 
face of the soil (on ashes) In a shady part of 
the garden, hold them together with a board 
frame and fill In around and over with ashes, 
leaf mould, tanbark or sand. Some growers 
stand the pots on the floor of a cool, airy cel- 
lar, or place them In a cold pit or cold frame. 
All of these methods are successful; but I 
prefer and always follow the trench method. 

The hardy bulbs, potted and plunged as 
advised will be sufficiently rooted In twelve 
weeks' time and some of the early sorts may 
be ready a week or two sooner. Most Taz- 
etta varieties root more quickly. Paper White 
and Double Roman especially, these usually 
being ready In five to six weeks' time. 

If left In the plunge, all the bulbs will rest 
without making much. If any, top growth, 
the entire winter. Advantage Is taken of this 
fact, and by lifting a few pots at Intervals, 
and holding the remainder In storage, a con- 
tinuous succession of bloom throughout the 
winter Is maintained. 

The time required for forcing Into bloom 
after the bulbs are brought Into house heat, 



56 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

varies from three to five weeks according to 
the variety. Before taking in the first lot 
of potted bulbs for forcing, make a careful 
examination to see If the pots are filled with 
roots, and do not take the pots Indoors unless 
they are. The only way to do this Is to 
* 'knock out'* one potful of bulbs. Place the 
palm of the hand over the top of the pot. In- 
vert the pot and tap the edge lightly on a 
box or board. The ball of earth will slip 
out of the pot, Intact, Into your hand. If 
the bulb Is well rooted, the surface of the 
earth ball will show a network of white roots. 
If only two or three roots are visible and the 
earth Is Inclined to fall apart, the bulb is not 
well rooted and Is not ready for forcing. The 
examination completed, slip the pot back over 
the ball of earth, turn the pot right side up, 
press the top slightly to make all firm again, 
and replace in the plunge. 

FLOWERING TIME, AND AFTER 

When the well-rooted potted daffodils are 
taken from the ''plunge" they must not at 
once be placed In warmth, but brought up to 
it progressively. Too much heat is apt to 



FLOWERING IN WINTER 57 

expand the flower prematurely so that it can- 
not pass the neck of the bulb; or, If it does 
get through, the developing bud will be 
strangled by Its unopened sheath. In other 
words, it ''blasts." 

First, place the potted bulbs in a tempera- 
ture of 45 to 50 degrees, either in cold pit, 
cold frame, azalea house, cold greenhouse, 
light cool garret, or cellar. Here the young 
growth — probably blanched from its cover- 
ing In the plunge — will gradually turn green 
and grow slowly, but sturdily. At this stage, 
and thereafter until through flowering, water 
freely; and once a week give manure water 
the strength of brown tea or soluble commer- 
cial fertilizer dissolved in water, one table- 
spoonful to a gallon. 

If the flower stems and buds keep pace with 
the foliage In growth, the treatment Is cor- 
rect; If the foliage Is outstripping the flower 
stems. It Is proof of too much heat. When 
both foliage and flower buds are In an ad- 
vanced stage of development, the plants may 
be removed to their sunny flowering quarters 
in the window, conservatory, or greenhouse. 
For the best health of the plants at this time, 



5 8 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

the temperature should not exceed 60° and 
the atmosphere should be fairly moist. In a 
higher temperature and dry air, the flowers 
sooner wither. 

AFTER FLOWERING 

Bulbs that have been forced into flower in 
the winter are usually thrown away, especially 
the cheaper sorts; still if the variety is choice, 
or prized, the plants may be saved. This is 
accomplished by growing them on in a cooler 
temperature until the foliage has ripened — 
about six weeks after blooming — then turn 
the pots on their sides, withhold water, and in 
another month remove the bulbs from the soil, 
cutting off dead leaves and roots, and store in 
a cool place until the time to plant in the gar- 
den in July or August. In a year or two such 
bulbs will have recuperated sufficiently to be 
again forced, but they cannot be forced two 
years in succession. 

VARIETIES FOR WINTER FLOWERING 

Practically all types and varieties of narcis- 
sus,, daffodil, jonquil, etc., may be successfully 



•o-^ 



KG 






:s5 



•r "> 

^1 






N N N N 

o o o o 

o c O o 
O "> O o 

« pi to o 

c 

"a; 
o 

O g*^ 

I- wU u 



O O u 

TJ-O rt 



2 .«= 
''^ tj 

(n gv^^ 

C ^ 



O O o o 
'O-O'O'O 



o o lo o 



>^ c 

« n 

en .3 

W {J f) 

— 5 ^ ■" 



Srt O O 

O O o 
O o o 



55 



N N o 
O O^ 



IT) O M 



3 rt g. 

c w 

en'3 C 

rt» ••-* i-i 

o C c 
C 3£ 

C ° rt 



N N N 

o o o 



1-1 O 

ri irt 



rt o t 

«j I- o 

C/2UQ 



o o 

•O'O 



T3 
CO 
cj C 

.t: o 



o o 



&H UP 



o o 



V) 

« i: 
2 E 



N N N 

o o o 

•COTS 

o o o 
« « N 






V 



rt 






N N N N 

O O O o 



ir)Oi/iO OOO Oo«'>«/iioOO "imuiomo tvuimmo «n 






'-^' « 3^ 



T3 



N N N 


o o o 


■otsx) 


o o O 


o o o 


« M N 


u 


li 


a 


^ 


a 


HE 


w 


1^. 


o ,^ <u 


:- i2E 


:^:ss 



N N N N 

O O O O 



3J=^Q 
<nH . 

3 .;^ CJ 

ris E 



N N N 


N N N 


N N N 


N 


N N N 


N 


OOO 


OOO 


o o o 


o 


OOO 


O 


'OTS'O 


TS'C'O 


■o-ona 


'0 


•co-u 


TJ 


OOO 


O O o 


OOO 


ir, 


OOO 


o 


ID O O 


lO in ui 


O Ul O 


tv 


\rt\rt\r) 


o 


M w « 


W li K 


CJM HI 




*•* 


f« 


U 


*e 


c 








G 




o 
Ec 


VI 

3 
O 






sn Cath 
cess Ma 
mander 


Madge Matl 
Beatrice 
Duchess of 


Fell 

rice Vil 
a Wilso 


o 
re 


John Bain 
Ellen Barr 
The Pet 


^ 


Que 
Prin 
Com 


Dr. 

Mau 

Flor 







> c75 



N N N N 

o o o o 

-OT3T3T} 



« S rt 

=iE« 

Sn 3W-: 



N N N 

OOO 
"COTS 



2<«§ 

4* ?i £ 
O E rt 



N N N N 

o o o o 
'O'O'a'a 



bo 
c 

^E 

2E 

2 o « 

3.5i . . 
CX3 p « 

y* 



^§ 



N N N 

o lP>o 



3 



C/3. 



^ «> ^ 

<J 3 W 

3HH C 

2c «5 
5 c ^ 

™ ," Ip-t 



K, N N 

N o o 

o O ° 



C 
o 

Is 

3 
W C w 

oS8 ^ 



StL-lJ 



o o 



" c 



W 3 
3 O 



o o 

ui O 



>8 

3 u 

3 (U 
o > 



N N N 

OOO 
"O tS'O 



3 

!? f- 1^ 
o c « 

i;!2; o 

4) iflT; 

cu-i c 
rt I. ") 

C/20 



N N 

o o 

•OTJ 



tn.5 

;3 c 
^<^ 

e ** 
o c 



ro 



N N N 

o o c 



C 
M 

MP 

<y c o 
-: i- o 

C/}t-l» 





c 




<n 


S 




u 






nj 


>,"' 












I- XI 






-1 






U — I ' 111 



c 


C 


C 




s 


o 


S 




rt 


C8 


CO 




u 


U 


V 




>.<" 


>,'« 


>%<« 




-z-hii 


-73*i 


';:T)ii 




ti-jZ rt 


rtvl rt 




rt 


wSj 


Wl^hJ 


J 






TJi! 



rtvr 



*^ o ;; 
P^ = ^^ 

M 
O 

■< 



3 
H O •• 

S O (U 

^H> 



H « •• 



M 
















>^ 
















CQ 








^ 








< 










<A 


M 


2 

O 




Q 


K 


tfl 


O 


M 


» 


l-l 




M 


•< 


w 


h4 


m 


;2; ( 






o 

< 
CO 

O 

J?; 

»— < 

u 
o 

Q 

< 

w 

H 

U 

H 
O 

P^ 

P«« 

O 

C/3 

(— < 

Q 
O 

< 



I? 

u 

O 



O t) 









(O 






(10 4; 

^ > o 

«i U) L, CO 

^ 3 O."^ C 

o ti «« u « 
♦ 2* c^O 



N N N N N 

o o o o o 

•^3"0 ■CJ'U'O 
o o o o o 

O O w)io O 



OS so N 



N N N'f' N N 

o o o y o o 

O O O o o o 

>AO o o o q 

c< d N i/, »n fi 



2 

.V3 



O CO 

«2 o c9 



N N N N M 

O O O o o 

O O O O ui 
to trt ir> o t^ 



c4 

•g^ («* C k, c ^ _ 

•o C\ fi Kl Zt M K^ »^ 



CO 3 



N N N N N Q N 5*0 



o o o o o 

O O m O O 

lo fi ri to d '^ d 



§c 



£3 rt 
oO 



N ^ 



W 



3 C 
O '4J 3 



N R R N N N N . 

o o o o o o O o 
13 TS T3 T3 TJ "^ ta "O 

OOOOoOOO 
O OOftoO loio 

M M M M <0 



73 C 



c.H ^ 

o n «> 



c 
.2 

c 

rt 
C> 

"3 



i; « 2uS„ ™ 



N N N N N 

o o o o o 






3 .U fJ 



I- 3 

3 C 

in V 

» o 



C 

V c c 
•ti'S o 



C/ih-l^ 



.. ., N N N ts) N N 

o o o o o o o o 

lOQtOOOO ©to 
to to tx tovo to rj f< 



J3 

:g .5 3 

3 <u C ♦i'^ 



C3 






« s? >>? 

Q, 3^ ^ ^ ^ 

SS <0 CO tfl 
- 5 3 3 3 
2 uJSjSXi 

•-• 44 '!-> .W 4_> 

♦^ C C C 

c u n iQ C3 



ill's -5 

D 1) « P ""•"•S'o 

rt rt 53H *> « n o 



>t . 

rt *)0 
M^-' rt 



N N N N N N N 

ooooooo o 

13 'O TI3 "dl? *^ "O *0 

OOOOOOO o 

to to to O to to to O 



? rt .S 



N'T N N N W N H'Ti N 
OJ5OOOOOOJ5O 
T3 »; "O "O "O "CTS "O c*^ 
OoOOOOOOqO 

qoqqqqqqoq 
dir)ddc<io6)>or^d 

C .» 

^Jp t S 

^^>rt 
. 1- .2 

«= 2 <« J:; 

O *> u o 



S.6 

J5 P o rt 4, C 



/^►c ~^ rt o « o"© — 



N N N N 
0000 



N N N N N N 

O o O O o o 
TS T3 "O "O "O "X) 



q q to o 



M M (1 M 



T3 Q,rt 

oSS 






nnnnnnnnn 
ooooooooo 

000»rt00000 
vo>0 O >>«»}fOrOiO^ 



bo 5 4) o 

.E-e Et: 

V- 4> 3 rt 
O <" o S 

0.0. .rt c.2iS 



c 

Ph 



N N N 

000 

'O'O'O 

000 

to 10 o 



N N N N N N N 
O O O O O O O 
'O'O'O'O'O'O'O 
to o o o o O to 
t«, to >o to 10 o ^ 



rt o 6 

Mo '^ 



60 rt V 

5 55 £"2 

rt 3 " r< 
►-1 ?,.-.P 



^ - c« S u. 'n ""T! EC 



rt «" rt 



ro ■" ta . . r^r—iT- rr . 



O O 4> 

^; «.♦; 

3 3 § 2 
i:i: £ rt 

u 4> w p S; 
bobcbooT^ 
b b h « 






rt rt rt 5 «J «^-0^ 



^ o.-b 

**» - « 

&P E^ 
« 3 3 f« 
3 2 I- •- 

■ ^ • ■ rt 



J' rt « 



« rt rt S S^^J^r^nO 






CO 
in c 

rt (rt 



^Dfi: 



c 



FLOWERING IN WINTER 6 1 

flowered In pots, pans or boxes during the win- 
ter if the cultural instructions previously 
given are carefully followed; but some kinds 
are much more responsive to forcing than 
others. If any are to be ruled against, it 
would be the late and extra late sorts (those 
marked E and F in the Descriptive Lists of 
varieties on pages 112 to 207). These are 
quite diflicult to force, yet with a maximum 
time allowance for rooting and by growing 
cool — absolutely without bottom heat — 
even these may be brought into flower in 
March or April, but not in winter. The va- 
rieties marked * in the Descriptive List are 
especially suitable for winter culture in pots. 

For the convenience of the reader, a tabu- 
lar selection from the forcing varieties is giv- 
en on pages 59 and 60. The varieties named 
embrace first class representatives from all sec- 
tions, including early, medium, and late flow- 
ering varieties, to maintain an unbroken suc- 
cession of bloom. These are in three grades, 
popular, choice, and fancy, so that the pock- 
etbooks of all may be suited. It will, how- 
ever, be noted that in the "fancy" no mention 
is made of rare new hybrids that are held at 



62 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

prices that are prohibitive so far as the aver- 
age buyer is concerned. 

In addition to those named in the tables 
there are a number of small and miniature 
flowering kinds that force most easily : Bulbo- 
codium, (all varieties) ; capax plenus 
(Queen Anne's double daffodil) ; cyclami- 
eus (cyclamen flowered) ; Johnstoni Queen 
of Spain; the jonquils; juncifolius; Macleaii 
(Diomedes minor) ; triandrus (Angel's 
tears), all varieties; and trumpet minimus. 
Plant these small growing narcissus 12 to 18 
bulbs one-half inch apart In a pot or pan 
of suitable size, putting only one variety 
in the pot. 



CHAPTER IV 

Water Culture in the House 

No soil to make dirt indoors — How much water?— Start- 
ing in the dark and bringing into light — The "blast" — 
Culture in plain water, sand, or moss fibre — Chinese 
sacred lily — Trumpet daffodils in hyacinth glasses — 
Feeding. 

For parlour and library or any place where 
there is more or less danger of damage to car- 
pets and furniture from overflow watering of 
potted plants, the method of growing bulbs 
in glasses of water, bowls of pebbles and wa- 
ter, and moss or fibre and water has much to 
recommend it. The ladles of the family usu- 
ally find much pleasure in growing a few flow- 
ers in this way and the early varieties can 
easily be made to bloom by Christmas time. 

Whatever the method adopted, the pro- 
cedure is substantially the same In all 
cases. The vessel holding the bulb and the 
water is put into an airy cool cellar, garret, 
storeroom, or cold pit. In dim light — not into 
a close confined closet — and kept there until 

63 



64 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

the bulbs are rooted. The time required is 
five to six weeks for the polyanthus varieties, 
and ten to twelve weeks for the hardy varie- 
ties. By this time, the tops will also have 
grown an inch or two. At this stage, remove 
to a light room with a temperature of about 
40" to 50° for two or three weeks or until the 
growth and buds are prettty well developed, 
when the plants may be placed where they 
are to be used for their decorative effect. 

The object of starting the growth very cool 
at first and reaching warmth by progressive 
degrees is to have the bulbs first make roots, 
and then a sturdy growth and produce flow- 
ers of greater substance and lasting qualities. 
Too much warmth, especially at first, induces 
long, limp leaves and is apt to cause the flow- 
ers to "blast," i. e. fail to open the sheath. 

Daffodils may be successfully grown in 
glasses by using ordinary hyacinth glasses 
filled with soft or rain water, not quite touch- 
ing the bottom of the bulb. A lump of char- 
coal in the bottom assists in keeping the wa- 
ter sweet. Replenish the water as evapora- 
tion reduces the quantity and change entirely 
every week or two, or whenever there is an 



WATER CULTURE IN THE HOUSE 65 

Indication of Its getting stale. A pinch of 
some soluble plant food, purchasable at seed 
stores, in each glass of water once a week 
while the plants are In bud and blooming will 
be of great benefit. 

Probably any of the early flowering daffo- 
dils may be grown In this way but the follow- 
ing trumpet varieties have proven well 
adapted: Henry Irving, Golden Spur, Hors- 
fieldl, Victoria, and Double Van Slon. 

THE CHINESE SACRED LILY IN WATER 

Varieties of the polyanthus section, espec- 
ially the so-called "Chinese Sacred Lily" give 
very beautiful results when grown in glass 
bowls filled with pebbles and water. The 
pebbles are used merely to support the bulb. 
Use shallow bowls, place a little granulated 
charcoal In the bottom to keep the water 
sweet, and cover with a one-inch layer of bird- 
gravel or sand. Set the bulbs on this nearly 
touching one another, three or more to a bowl, 
according to size. Fill in with white pebbles, 
or, if they are not available, more bird-gravel. 
This will prevent the plant from toppling 
over when In leaf and bloom. Pour In water 



66 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

until it almost reaches the bulbs. Place in a 
cool spot to root, and grow on in a low tem- 
perature as advised in the preceding pages. 
Replenish the water as it evaporates and 
occasionally change if it shows any signs of 
getting stale. 

Some of the early flowering trumpet daffo- 
dils may also be grown in this way, but the 
kinds of narcissus almost infallibly successful 
are the Tazetta varieties, especially gloriosa, 
Grand Soleil d'Or, Grand Monarque, Maes- 
tro, Paper White, and particularly the Chi- 
nese sacred lily, the latter coming into bloom 
the quickest of any, often in six weeks from 
planting. 

By making an incision just through the skin 
across the bulbs of the Chinese variety and 
about an inch from the top of the main bulb, 
it will liberate an additional lot of leaves and 
flowers. By this method one bulb will often 
bear eight to twelve spikes of bloom. 

FIBRE OR MOSS AND WATER 

This is perhaps the best and most success- 
ful of all methods of water culture. Use 
bowls, pots, or jardinieres without holes. 



WATER CULTURE IN THE HOUSE 67 

To prepare the medium, take one part of 
cocoanut fibre — or if that is not available, 
sphagnum moss — and add to it one pint of 
granulated charcoal and one quart of washed 
sand or bird-gravel. Mix thoroughly. It 
will probably be necessary to tear the fibre or 
moss to pieces to accomplish this. Place 
about two inches of this material in the bot- 
tom of the jardiniere, put the bulbs on it, 
nearly touching one another, and fill in with 
more material, making all quite compact, but 
do not jam too tight. Leave only a portion 
of the necks of the bulbs exposed. Water to 
thoroughly moisten the fibre all through ; and 
turn the vessel on its side until all surplus 
water has drained off. 

Rooting can be done in any cool, airy room; 
and, for the rest, follow the directions given 
in the preceding paragraphs. The fibre must 
never be allowed to get dry — neither must it 
be so freely watered that it becomes soggy, 
at least not until the plants are in bud and 
blooming, during which period they will stand 
more water. 

As stimulating food for the bulbs grown 
by the moss and water method a little weak 



68 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

manure water the strength of brown tea may 
be used, but I prefer the soluble plant food 
tablets on sale at the seed stores. They are 
clean, odourless and quickly dissolved In warm 
water. Dissolve one tablet to a gallon of 
water and give each pot a tablespoonful of 
this solution once a week. 

All hardy varieties previously recom- 
mended for pot culture, and all of the half- 
hardy polyanthus varieties, may be grown in 
fibre or moss and water — preference being 
given to the early and mid-season flowering 
kinds. 

Some English amateurs have been most 
successful with the method. A report of a daf- 
fodil show at BIdeford states: "Especially 
noticeable were Mrs. Hobhouse's six trum- 
pet daffodils, grown In moss fibre — Golden 
Spur, Empress, Mrs. Thompson, Victoria, 
princeps, and albicans. These were a mass 
of bloom, containing over lOO fully-devel- 
oped flowers, size and quality leaving noth- 
ing to be desired, while the foliage was per- 
fect. The best pot of daffodils in the show, 
and which deservedly won the silver medal, 
was grown by Miss Farrington, and had 



WATER CULTURE IN THE HOUSE 69 

twenty splendid flowers of Sir Watkln. The 
whole pot was as sturdy as If grown In the 
open and in the most congenial soil. This 
shows what can be done with moss fibre." 



CHAPTER V 

The Commercial Production of Cut 
Flowers 

The florist's special requirements — Economy of bench space 

— Making flats — Burying in the open — Temperatures — 

When to water — Feeding and stimulating — Profitable 

forcing varieties — Causes of failure — A new industry — 

Daffodil cut flower farms — Field culture in the South 

— Preparation of the ground — Shipping the flowers. 

The florist whose sole object is to produce 
during winter, under glass, a large quantity 
of high quality flowers In a small space with 
the minimum of labor and expense grows his 
daffodils In "flats." The cultural details In 
this case, however, do not differ materially 
from those already described In Chapter III, 
though here the routine of handling is more 
specialised. 

FORCING IN FLATS 

Flats are shallow boxes or trays about four 
Inches deep and of a size approximating 12 

to 18 inches, though the actual size should 

70 



COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION 7 I 

be such that they may be placed on the green- 
house bench without loss of room. A flat of 
the dimensions given will hold 36 to 48 bulbs, 
according to size, allowing a space of from 
1-2 inch to I inch between bulbs, which is 
sufficient. The reason for using flats is to 
economise space, enabling one-third more 
bulbs to be grown to a square foot of bench 
than could be done in pots or pans. The flow- 
ers produced in flats are exclusively for cut- 
ting and they are nearly as good as those pro- 
duced in any other way. 

The flat should have a few holes or a 
couple of slits or cracks in the bottom to 
permit free drainage, these openings being 
covered with moss, fibre, or the fibrous roots 
from old sod to prevent soil from washing out. 
Put over this an inch of the prepared soil and 
set in the bulbs, using, of course, only one va- 
riety to a flat. Fill in with more mould to 
within half an inch of the top of the flat; give 
a good watering if the soil is dry and place 
— preferably — in an uncovered frame. Fin- 
ally cover the flats with old leaf mould, ashes, 
tanbark, or soil to a depth of three or four 
inches. 



72 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

The buried flats or boxes are now to re- 
main without any further attention, not even 
watering, until the bulbs are thoroughly 
rooted, which will require: for the Paper 
White and early flowering Tazetta varieties 
from five to six weeks, and for the hardy varie- 
ties, the trumpets, etc., from ten to twelve 
weeks. The earlier the normal flowering 
time of a variety the quicker it roots. 

BRINGING INTO WARMTH 

When the bulbs are well rooted the mulch- 
ing is removed and the flats taken into a cold 
shed, cold greenhouse, or pit with a tempera- 
ture of from 45°to 50°, and kept there until 
the foliage has grown somewhat and the buds 
are well up. From here a few flats are taken 
at different intervals, when a succession of 
bloom is desired, into the greenhouse or con- 
servatory, for flowering. Even here a tem- 
perature of from 60° to 65° is high enough 
for the best flowers. The early flowering 
Tazetta varieties can stand a slightly higher 
temperature with some loss of substance only; 
but the later flowering and hardy varieties 
will in all probability fail to develop their 



COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION 73 

flowers — "go blind," as it Is termed, In a high 
temperature. 

As soon as the flats are brought Indoors, 
watering must be attended to carefully, espe- 
bloomlng. At this stage of growth daffodils 
will consume great quantities of water and a 
meagre supply Is sure to result in poor flow- 
ers, If not in absolute failure. A moist atmo- 
sphere should be kept in the greenhouse to as- 
sist the flower sheaths in opening, In fact an 
occasional good syringing is advisable for 
this very purpose. In the open air, the wind 
and rain, and the movement of the plants as- 
sist In opening the sheath and in preventing 
its drying up and strangling the enclosed 
flower. Manure water diluted with water to 
the colour of weak tea, applied once a week 
(about a pint to a flat), will materially assist 
in the production of large, well-formed 
flowers. 

Bottom heat must not be given. Some varie- 
ties, particularly those of the poetlcus family, 
or In which the poetlcus blood predominates, 
resent heat. Even though well rooted, they 
cannot be forced beyond their limit. A case 
in point: A well-rooted batch of poetlcus or- 



74 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

natus was brought into heat too quickly and 
the top growth simply stood still — it would 
not budge with six weeks of forcing. The 
grower finally in disgust threw the flats out 
of doors where the bulbs encountered the 
rigours of frost and snow, but with the ad- 
vent of spring weather developed plump buds 
and later splendid flowers. This will empha- 
sise the vital importance of making haste 
slowly when forcing the naturally late-flower- 
ing kinds. A good rule to keep in mind when 
forcing hardy narcissus is: Temperature 40° 
for roots, then 50° until the buds are through 
the necks, then 60° to 65° for best and most 
substantial flowers and foliage, 70° to 80° to 
rush growth and bloom with loss of substance 
and danger of going "blind." 

VARIETIES FOR FLAT CULTURE 

All the undermentioned varieties (page 
75) will "force." It is understood that the 
early flowering varieties can be held back to 
flower later than the time specified; but the 
late-flowering sorts cannot safely be brought 
in bloom before the time mentioned. Some of 





j: 




















.2 
























'S 
























CI 

o 
ft. 




TS 
























CO 




















Wi 

3 




4) . 

o 




c 




E 




m 




« 

3 

3 
o 

•s. 

(0 

C 
o 
u 


CO 

3 
■I-' 


a, 
"5 






12 

•J 

O 


u 


M. Cam 
Plemp. 


B 
E 

rt 

u 


rt 

o 


>, 


rt 
C 
I-. 

o 

CO 

3 


en 

c 
« 




o 




u 

o 

O 




« 1 


to 


E 


3 
a 

V 


rt 


o 

o 
o, 


bo 
C 
rt 
u 

o 




J3 
























1» 
























fc 
























"O 
























c 
























C rt 








• 
















O 
























en 
























rt C 
























w rt 












c 












f •— • 












o 












T3 

o 

E 












en 

a 
E 


tn 












o 


0) 

3 


<n «j 
- 1 


(0 

C 
rt 


o 
H 


1 


a. 

3 
(n 












a 




Q C 


o 


(0 


C 


rt 








o 




a 

w 


'5) 

3 
u 




IS 
73 


u 

s 


rt 
u 










c 
























rt 
























»-» 


3 






















C 


u 
O 






4-> 
















rt 








O) 
















>. o 


"5 

c 

rt 






3 

CO 












c 
o 




rt O 
W 

u 




u 

3 

a 


Irving 
major 


o 
o 

O. 






a 






a 




o 


s 

^ 


to rt 


m 

3 

(O 










>• 




o 


u 

o, 


c 

u 


Henry 
spurius 


|1 

I > 


O 
3 
u 
O 




c75 






3 

3 
O 

Q 


















> 










u 

3 




* 




^ 


LI 




^ 










o 




o 




"o 






15 


















y 


IS 
1 




J, 










c 

rt 


IS 
1 


O. 

3 




a 






a 
E 




V 

■*-> 

IS 


^ 

^ 




o. 


i 

3 




6 

3 


E 

3 




3 
u 




1 


13 
>> 






J3 

C 
rt 


i4 








E 
.5 




lO 

3 


3 






A4 


bo 
u 
rt 




1.^ 


bo 
l-l 
CO 




4J 




*5 

o 


3 
O 

Q 



76 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

the varieties named may be a little too high 
priced for general commercial work; but will 
be found beautiful for private use where qual- 
ity, irrespective of cost, is more considered. 

While the forcing into early bloom is a 
comparatively easy matter for the experienced 
commercial grower and well-informed pri- 
vate gardener, yet there are others to whom 
success Is not always assured. Their failures 
are usually traceable to neglect of some one 
or more of three things: ist, early planting; 
2nd, cool treatment (45° to 50°) until the 
buds are well through the necks; 3rd, plenty 
of water and a moist atmosphere while in bud 
and bloom. 

FIELD CULTURE FOR MARKET FLOWERS 

Within the last few years a new industry 
has been developed In the United States, the 
growing of daffodils under field culture for 
the production of cut flowers for market. 
Though yet in its Infancy, there does not seem 
to be any reason why this Industry should 
not attain considerable proportions. There 
are three establishments of this kind of which 



Plate IX 




PAPER-WHITE NARCISSUS AS A PARLOUR PLANT 

It may be grown in bowls of water like the Chinese Sacred Lily and can be had in 
nower before Christmas if potted in August and brought into the light as soon as 
rooted (six to eight weeks) 



Plate X 



il 








A flat measuring 12x18x14 inches will accommodate three to four dozen bulbs. 
Water thoroughly and place under cover, either in a frame or buried in the open ground 
\ander light soil'or salt hay until rooted. Polyanthus varieties root in six weeks; 
trumpet varieties in ten to twelve weeks. 




After rooting, take the flats into a cold shed (temperature 45° to 60°), keeping 
them there until the foliage and buds are well up. From this cold shed they can 
be brought in for forcing as required, in a temperature of 60° to 65° 

COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION IN FLATS 



COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION 77 

I have personal knowledge, and probably 
there are others. 

The pioneer daffodil farm is near Peters- 
burg, Va., a second started up near Ports- 
mouth, Va., and the third is situated a few 
miles southeast of St. Louis, Mo. 

It is significant that these three daffodil 
farms are situated in practically the same lati- 
tude; not too far south for the well doing of 
hardy daffodils, and yet not so far north but 
that their open ground flowers can be pro- 
duced sufficiently early to compete — especially 
for Easter trade — with the daffodils forced 
under glass in the North. These farms com- 
mence to cut flowers in March. 



A FLOWER ^'fARM" 



The soil of the Petersburg daffodil farm 
is ordinarily good "corn ground," a long cul- 
tivated sandy loam. This was manured heav- 
ily and plowed. A subsoil plow followed in 
the furrow to break the hardpan and open the 
subsoil, mole-track like, to a depth of eighteen 
Inches. A crop of cowpeas was grown on the 
land and plowed under in the fall. The next 



78 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

spring this ground was again plowed and 
harrowed, leaving the soil in a fine mechanical 
condition — a rich deep sandy loam, with mois- 
ture holding humus. 

Planting is done in July and August, the 
bulbs being dropped four to six inches apart 
in furrows plowed out six inches deep. Five 
or six furrows, one foot apart, constitute a 
bed, and the beds are separated by a three- 
foot walk. These walks are for the conven- 
ience of the flower gatherers, affording a con- 
venient place to set the baskets, preventing in- 
jury to the plants. In early winter a top 
dressing of strawy manure is placed over the 
beds and is allowed to remain as the growers 
think that longer stems are thus produced. 

The first spring after planting only a fair 
crop of medium-sized flowers is produced — 
possibly because the more expensive, large- 
sized, bulbs are not planted. But the second 
year after planting, and for three or four 
years more, great quantities of long-stemmed 
flowers are gathered. About the fifth or 
sixth year after planting the bulbs become 
crowded as a result of natural increase and the 
flowers they bear are smaller and less salable. 



COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION 79 

Consequently they are dug up, separated, and 
replanted In fresh ground. 

GATHERING WITH LONG STEMS 

The flowers are gathered when only about 
half open for they develop quickly after they 
reach the customer and the stems are put into 
water. As long stemmed flowers are de- 
manded in the markets, the stems are pulled 
as long as possible, not cut nor broken off. 

As the flowers are gathered in the field they 
are stood up in baskets, and carried to the 
packing shed where the stems are placed in 
tubs of water, to absorb moisture and freshen 
up the flowers. Girls now pick them out, one 
by one, tieing them in bunches of twenty-five. 
The bunches are long, flat, and one sided, a 
layer of two or three flowers, then an under 
layer, and so on, every care being exercised so 
that the flowers are not bruised or broken. 
The bunches are then packed for shipment in 
light, wooden boxes, — paper lined, to retain 
a moist atmosphere — and sent by express to 
various city flower markets. 

Very many varieties may be grown under 
field culture for cut flowers, but naturally the 



80 



DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 



expensive, newer, large-flowering hybrids can- 
not be used with profit, for the bulbs must be 
planted by the thousands. So long as the flow- 
ers are of good-size with long stems, all varie- 
ties seem to bring the grower about the same 
average price, 50c. for a hundred flowers, 
though early in the season they often realise 
double that figure or more ; but late in the sea- 
son the return is much less. For this reason the 
old reliable medium-priced standard sorts 
mentioned below are chosen. These, well 
grown, produce large marketable flowers on 
long stems, and the different kinds furnish 
succession of bloom for two months or more. 

DAFFODILS FOR CUT FLOWERS OUTDOORS 



Type 


Name 


Season 


Large trumpet, yellow 


Henry Irving 




Early 




rugilobus 




Early 




Golden Spur 




Early 




Double Van Sion 




Early 




Emperor 




Mid-season 


bicolor 


Horsfieldi 




Early 




Victoria 




Early 




Empress 




Mid-season 


Medium trumpet, crown. 


incomparabilis Sir 


Watkin 


Early 


or cup 


incomparabilis Autocrat 


Mid-season 




Stella superba 




Mid-season 




Barrii conspicuus 




Late 




Leedsii Dutchess 


of 


T.atP 




Westminster 








oneticus ornatus 




Late 



CHAPTER VI 

Naturalising in the Grass 

The lesson from nature — Where to plant — How to colonise 
in meadows — Where delicate kinds flourish — Methods 
of planting — Hardy varieties naturalised in New Eng- 
land — The Tazetta in Bermuda — ^What to Plant. 

"Naturalising" Is a most effective 
method of planting daffodils. By this term I 
mean planted broadcast In quantity In field, 
meadow, open woodland or the wilder por- 
tions of the estate, and left alone to flourish 
and spread along natural lines. All the hardy 
daffodils may be naturalised, the wild types 
doing the best while the larger flowering 
modern hybrids are likely to "run out"; that 
Is to say, they may lose their size, and dete- 
riorate toward the parental types. 

The effect of the daffodil blooms mingling 
among the grass is one that cannot well be 
described in words. The army of graceful 
flowers nodding and waving with the breeze 
is entranclngly beautiful. The greater the 
quantity used, the more the pleasure derived, 

8i 



82 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

It is the collective view of the mass that at- 
tracts and not a close analysis of the Indi- 
vidual flowers. 

The naturallser should make his plantings 
simulate nature's distribution of plants. Do 
not plant bulbs evenly over the field, in serried 
ranks, but take double handfuls of the bulbs 
and, as it were, scoop them out over the sur- 
face of the ground in Irregular masses, plant- 
ing them where they fall, dense in one place, 
thin in another. Scattered in this way, they 
grow with a natural effect which Is little dis- 
tinguishable from the handiwork of Nature 
herself. 

COLONIZING IN MEADOWS 

In the meadows of England the Double 
Van Slon, or A^. telamonius var. plenus, covers 
acre upon acre. 

Colonies may be established wherever there 
Is a bit of grassland that need not be mown 
before the end of June, for narcissus leaves 
must not be cut before the bulbs are thorough- 
ly ripe If flowers are desired the next season. 
The charm of a mass of daffodils In flower is 
often enhanced when It Is opened to our view 



NATURALISING IN GRASS 83 

in unexpected places. A colony in flower 
with a background of sombre tree-trunks is 
contrastingly effective, a group on the bank 
of a stream, pond or lake with reflections of 
the flowers mirrored in the water is entran- 
cing. A pocket of soil beneath some boulder 
on the hillside enlivened with daffodils will 
be a gem. Dozens of locations will suggest 
themselves to those who catch the spirit of 
planting daffodils to simulate nature's plant- 
ings. But only those who have seen narcissus 
and daffodils naturalised can fully appreciate 
their wealth of beauty, creating a picture not 
unlike a cloud of gold and silver butterflies 
resting on the turf — yet ever restless, nodding 
and fluttering. 

THE MATTER OF SITE AND SOIL 

Naturalising is so universally successful 
because the bulbs when grown thus are not 
so particular as to soil as when grown under 
garden cultivation. 'Planted in grass they 
are in an ideal home; the turf is sweet and 
free from manure, the soil's moisture and tem- 
perature are more evenly maintained, and, 
rnoreover, the grass-roots bind together the 



Sa. daffodils NARCISSUS 

upper and lower strata of soil, rendering tHe 
bulbs less susceptible to the tearing of alter- 
nate freezing and thawing, and the winter 
mulch or protection of dead grass is better 
than what we can supply under artificial con- 
ditions; therefore it is not to be wondered at 
that many delicate varieties often thrive for 
years under these conditions but die out after 
a season or two in the garden. 

At the same time, if a variety of soils and 
situations are available, choice should be 
made to suit variety to soil. Thus, on the 
heavy, moist, lowland, plant the poeticus and 
odorus families and on the high land, with 
lighter soil, the white trumpets which revel in 
checkered sun and shade. Almost any situa- 
tion will answer for the other classes; viz: 
the all-yellow and bi-colour trumpets, and va- 
rieties of the incomparabilis, Barii, Burbidgei 
and Leedsii groups. In moist, heavy soils 
daffodils increase by offsets and then grow in 
clumps. In harder ground the increase is 
mostly from seed and the plants grow singly. 

ART IN GROUPING 
If group planting is followed, never mix 



NATURALISING IN GRASS 85 

two varieties, but plant each kind by itself. It 
is quite permissable and indeed very effective 
to plant two or three groups, early, mid-sea- 
son and late-flowering sorts, in proximity so as 
to keep up a longer display of bloom. Ar- 
range the groups or collections of groups so 
there will be a liberal breadth of grass be- 
tween to act as a foil. Plant the bulbs with a 
bounteous hand — about six inches apart — not 
less than twenty-five bulbs of one kind to a 
group — though 100 to 1,000 will be better if 
the area of ground permits. Arrange the 
groups with irregular outlines, having a dense 
patch, not necessarily at the centre, as a focus 
point for the eye; no circles, no squares, no 
rows, and no two groups alike. 

Another method of natural planting, espe- 
cially suitable for borders and shrubbery, is 
in dense, irregular clumps. Old plantings of 
bulbs will often take on this character, and in 
truth, as the influence of time is felt, irregu- 
larity of distribution with heavy, dense masses 
irregularly outlined here and there, is the ul- 
timate disposition. This effect is due to two 
prime causes of planting in natural, or unpre- 
pared soil ; namely, that certain bulbs find ex- 



86 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

ceptlonally congenial situations, while others 
are set In spots absolutely uncongenial and 
consequently die. 

HOW TO PLANT BULBS IN TURF 

The bulbs are most quickly planted when 
the ground is soft after a rain. I then use a 
spade handle, sharpened dibber-like. A cross 
piece, mortised In and securely bolted about 
eight inches from the point, serves as a foot 
rest to assist in thrusting the dibber in the 
earth. Working the handle a little enlarges 
the hole at the bottom large enough to re- 
ceive the base of the bulb which should be 
about six inches below the surface. After 
dropping in a bulb, fill In with a handful of 
soil. The bulb will thus have a covering of 
soil three to four inches deep. 

Another method that Is quite expeditious 
and satisfactory is called ''notch planting." 
A sloping cut is made with a spade, the turf 
and soil being pried up and held by a man 
while a boy places two or three bulbs in the 
cleft. The turf Is then tramped back firmly. 
The bulbs In this style of planting lie Inclined 



NATURALISING IN GRASS 87 

on their sides, but It does not seem to make 
any difference for the growth comes up 
straight above the surface. 

VARIETIES FOR NATURALISING 

For naturah'sing in lawns which have to be 
cut In May the following extra early flower- 
ing miniature daffodils may be utilised: trum- 
pet minimus, cyclamineus, moschatus (Span- 
ish), trumpet minor and capax plenus. They 
make a beautiful picture when in flower 
against the green grass carpet, and will be suf- 
ficiently matured not to be injured for the 
next season's blooming if the grass Is not 
mown before May. 

TRUMPETS IN NEW ENGLAND 

There Is an Impression in some quarters 
that the trumpet daffodils cannot be natura- 
lised as far north as New England, but Mr. 
John Parkinson, of Boston, Is said to have 
large groups of Emperor and Empress plan- 
ted twenty years ago on his country estate, 
at Bourne, Mass. At the Ames Estate, North 



CO 
CO 

< 

O 



:^ 

CO 

(—1 

< 

H 
< 

Pi 

O 

C/5 

I— ( 
H 

l-H 

PQ 

< 
H 

D 

CO 

tq 

O 

CO 



o 



W 






O O 



3« 
en ■ 



ea> 



c 


C 1 


9 


3 


^J3 1 


O 


o 


o 


o 


roN 


Vt 




CO 




^ 




a^ 


4) 


o 


<U 


v'O 1 


^ 


C 


rt 


rt 


( ) 


ii 


* 


J 



c c 



P 



§^ 



3 3 3 

o o o 
o o ° 



O) 



oM 



CO 

^ -I 

r 1 -'3) 



3 3 

o o 
o in 



c c C 

3 3 3 

o o O 

o o lo 



U CO 

4J C3 C 
"O > 3 






c c 

3 3 

J3J3 



C C 
3 3 



O 



<^ 



c c 

3 3 



CO. 2 



3 3 











en Oi 


(0 

en 3 


3 

•5:2 


0.0 






2 rt 


uin 


b a 


a.* 


* * 



c c 

3 3 






c n 

3 3 
o o 

vo O 

N 4 



CO 

C lU 
CO'T) 

»- H 



3 3 



3 



CI C 



3 C 
3 3 



3 
(0 C 

<0 



> 



« 



PQ 



!C 



r! 


c 


3 


3 


j= 


J3 


o 


O 


o 


vn 


M 


N. 




en 












CO 


cn 


C 


> 


e 


3 


« 


o 


K 


u 


* 



P^ 



u 



c c 

3 3 

43 -a 



ll 

4>5 



3 3 

3 3 

o o 

q q 



. o 

en 

f^ 3 

S> 2 

CO 3 
&iJ CO 

O 3 

.HQ -o 



NATURALISING IN GRASS 89 

Easton, these varieties, together with prin- 
ceps and Golden Spur, are naturalised In a 
spot where the soil Is always quite damp ; 
they have now been planted seven years and 
show a gratifying Increase, but it is noted that 
the smaller white flowered Leedsii varieties 
increase faster than those of the large trum- 
pets. On the other hand, Mr. E. O. Orpet 
at South Lancaster reports that he finds 
that the trumpets do better where the soil 
dries out during the summer resting period 
of the bulbs. 

In warm climates, the Tazettas or polyan- 
thus narcissus will naturalise and spread like 
weeds. On the island of Bermuda one of 
these charming varieties has escaped from 
cultivation and has become as firmly estab- 
lished as any wild native. In this congenial 
climate there are narcissus flowers from De- 
cember to July. The residents assert that 
these narcissus have been growing In the same 
places "since they could remember." 



CHAPTER VII 

Miniature Daffodils For The Rock 
Garden 

Little genK that would be lost in the border — Mountain 
species to grow only in rock pockets and special soils. 

There are a number of dainty little-flow- 
ered members of the daffodil family, of per- 
fect form, that if planted in the garden and 
border would be practically lost to sight, yet 
they are gems when grouped, a dozen or more 
of a kind, two to four inches apart, in the soil 
pockets of a rockery. In fact, some of these 
"tiny tims" were found wild in the fastnesses 
of mountains, growing in the crevices of 
rocks in little pockets of gritty soil and they 
do not seem able to live in cultivation unless 
in a properly built rockery — or rock garden 
— with well-drained soil pockets leading clear 
to the surface of the ground — filled in with 
gritty, peaty, soil and positively no manure. 
They thrive to perfection under suitable con- 
ditions and increase for several years. If a 

90 



</5 

w 

^ 

u 

o 

o 

< 

H 

I— ( 

CO 
CO 

H^ 

I— t 

Q 
O 

fa 
< 
Q 

Q 
W 

c 

fa 

fa 

< 





>^ >, -^ 




















k. u o 




















O V o 


















c 


^ ^ c 




1^ 




u 




S «j *> t> 


V 


e 


o 


u u 




•o 




•o 




3 "O "O •O 


T3 


T3 




o o ^^ 




rt 


ft 




«> rt CO rt 


CO 


CO 


3 






(A 




-H ^ ^ ^ 

^ CO 05 (« 


CO 


43 


W 


>> 




is 


"ri 


"rt 




y CO CO r3 
CJ '^ 'J "^ 


"eo 


"cO 




*j *j C 


<4-l 




■*2 


'** 




■^ 


• •-• 




o o c 




v< 


i^ 


u 




<U u u u 


w. 


u 




O O 3 


rt 


cfl 


rt 


rt 




J3 CO CO CO 


CO 


CO 




fa tl-i c/2 


K 


Ol 


CL, 


Ph 




U Ph eU Oh 


Ph 


Oi 
















^ — ~ 


































Tw* 






'o 'o 'o 














o 






n CO 1/1 














n 














o 
o 












>.>;.►. 






'o 
(72 


c 

0. J, ^ 


S 

o 


H 

O 


.S 


s 

O 




_, *i_ "C 'C 

B be bo bo 

CO 

o . . . 


'S 


E 

CO 

o 










""* 




■"• "o ta 13 


(0 


""* 




2 2 >. 

U3 U3 C 






^ 






t) o tl 

-o .H .B .S 


>^ 


>> 




"5 "o S 
^ ^ C^ 


c 




*^ 


c 




C CO CO CO 


rt 


B 






u 

o 


CO 
C/3 




CO I- 1- V- 

c/2 Q Q Q 


P. 


CO 


4-* 








d 








J3 


10 OT <o 


in 


U) 


••^ 


(/I 




CO tfl «n en 


CO 


<0 


.5? 


U (U o 


V 


u 




c 




V c; U 1> 


V 


4J 


-C J= ^ 


43 


^ 


^ 


J3 




j: ^ J jc 




J3 


'S 


o o o 


o 


u 




o 




CJ CJ O CJ 


"o 


CJ 


ffi 


.s .s .s 


_C 




o 






.H .E .H .S 


C 


_C 


VO VO VD 


tx 


NO t^ t^ t^ 


CO 


r^ 






















c 












c c c 






c 


2 












o o o 






o 


M 












10 (A CO 






v> 


rt 












<0 10 CO 






rt 


1) 












«J U V 






u 


T >. 


>> 


JJ» 








>>« "P f 1* 


>> 


^ 


C/3 


3 :o t. 


u 


'u 


ii 


o 




"C :o -o -g 


ni^ 


t-r 




J -^ CxJ 




W 




rt 




CO ;;^ ;;:3 ;j 

tJ ^ <^ r-. 


CO 


(0 
























O O 


c 
o 
E 




o 






& 

^ 


^ 






w 
IB 

3 

o 


o 

n 


1 

"5 




4-> 

a 
S 

3 


*' 1 1 7 


"3 
>, 


o 

'v 
>. 

"iio 


.9* 


u 


•a 


E 


c 


'o 


u 




S 

3 
u 






6. ^ 

o 1 

g n *, 


*« 
c 

c „ 
< ^ 


o 


CI 


IS 




IS 1: "^ S2 

" 2 S 2 

4. ^ ^ H 


CI 

a 
S 

3 




"5 


3 


1 5 


>> 

J3 


^ JO ^<fl _(„ 

.2 U) bJ) 60 


u 
3 
CO 


u 




>^ U ^ 








■? 


c c C c 

9, 1^ < < 


'5 


CO 

E 


to 3 




















3 =: 




















a !n 












/«— s 








o to J3 












c 








•s 3 a. 
S* c o 












•S CO 
(0 3 








c C c 
<J y S 












Ui -So 


<o 




g 












CO i3 o 
«« 3 rt CJ 


3 


It 


c5 


ess 

.2 .5 ^ 

"o "o -5 


3 

n 


3 
a; 

c 


3 






O XI — c 

^ « S 8 

C/} 

3 (O (O W5 
^333 


E 


o 

c 

E 




O O O 


Q. 


^ 


;2 




,^ 






O O O 




S 


o 


rt 




fO '- I- '- 


o 


O 




2 S ° 


X 


<*< 


u 




^ -C T3 "O 


O. 


o* 




£ jQ U3 

"H 3 "3 
M W pq 


y 




'o 

c 

3 


1 

;§ 




<J C C H 

o .2 2 .2 
c 'C 'C 'C 

t; 4^ 4J -t^ 


E 

3 


E 

3 
u 



92 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

low growth of alpine plants, hardy mosses or 
even short fine-leaved grass can carpet their 
nests, the bulbs seem to last longer; moreover, 
such a mulch keeps the rain from splashing 
dirt on to the flowers, and, peeping through 
the green, they present a picture in the spring 
far out of the ordinary. 

All those named in the adjoining table are 
adapted to rock-culture, the special require- 
ments of each being given in the last column. 



X 




CHAPTER VIII 

The One Insect and One Disease 

The daffodil amateur has a happy lot In 
the matter of diseases and insects. No 
green fly to suck the juices, no host of Invad- 
ing bugs to chew up the results of the year's 
work; nor are there rusts or anthracnose that 
must be sprayed with poisons. The daffodils 
flower and ripen their foliage before any of 
the everyday pests of the garden are awakened 
for the season. And after that, even, they 
are comparatively safe, for the bulbs are usu- 
ally distasteful to moles and mice, which 
turn to them only when all else fails; and foli- 
age nor plants are not relished by either 
browsing animals or by birds. 

Daffodils may not be immune, however, 
for the sparrows have made a start. In 
the spring of 1906, I noticed for the first time 
that a few of the earliest daffodil flowers 
were being nipped by these birds. Incident- 
ally the variety was Early Bird. Daffodil 
salad evidently was not to their liking, 

93 



94 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

for the little pieces torn from the flow- 
ers were found scattered about nearby. Af- 
ter tasting the flowers for a day or two, they 
left them alone for the rest of the season. 

THE BASAL ROT DISEASE 

The one serious pest of the daffodil is a 
fungous disease, "basal rot," a sort of dry rot 
which starts at the base, and, working up 
through the centre of the bulb, soon destroys 
it. To a casual observer the exterior of the 
affected bulb (with the heart and centre en- 
tirely eaten away) may appear to be in per- 
fect condition. A bulb so infected cannot be 
cured and should never be planted for fear 
of spreading the disease. 

Before planting bulbs of varieties that are 
especially liable to basal rot, they should be 
carefully examined. Press each bulb firmly 
near the base, between the thumb and fore- 
finger. A really sound, healthy bulb is firm, 
hard and unyielding. On the other hand, if 
it is soft and yielding, it is suspicious. These 
soft bulbs should not be planted near healthy 
stock. If a pinch higher up the bulb still 
develops a yielding softness, the presence of 



ONE INSECT AND ONE DISEASE 95 

basal rot well advanced Is almost positively 
Indicated. In such a case do not hesitate, take 
no risks, but destroy the bulb at once; and 
destroy means "burn." 

The disease Is favoured by heavy wet soils, 
highly manured soils and cold seasons. The 
remedy Is to replant the bulbs In drier, 
warmer, higher ground, or In raised and bet- 
ter drained beds. 

Fortunately all sections of the family are 
not equally liable to the disease and those 
most subject to basal rot are the white trum- 
pet varieties; it sometimes attacks the Leed- 
sii, jonquil and Tazetta groups, but only 
rarely does it attack any others. 

THE NARCISSUS FLY 

I am very glad to say that I have had no 
personal acquaintance with the narcissus fly 
(Merodon equestrls). Indeed it does not 
seem to have done much, if any, damage In 
the United States. Possibly our winters are 
too cold for the fly which hails from southern 
climes. In England and Holland, however, 
this pest seems to have become acclimated 
and is doing considerable havoc among the 



g6 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

daffodils, and we in America may not long 
be immune from its attacks. Having had no 
actual experience with the fly, I quote in sub- 
stance from European authorities: Dr. J. R. 
Bos of Holland, and Rev. W. Wilks of Eng- 
land: 

"The narcissus fly — nearly one half inch 
long and with wings expanded one inch across 
— is not unlike a small *bumble-bee' though 
having only two wings and no sting. It 
hovers over the daffodil plants not unlike a 
humming bird, its wings moving as swiftly 
as it poses in one place for a minute or two — 
then suddenly it darts with lightning speed 
usually to the right or left, seldom straight 
ahead — making a sound between a shriek and 
a whistle, though of course, not so loud — yet 
great compared with the size of its author. It 
then settles down among the daffodil leaves 
and lays its eggs near the top of the bulb. It 
will probably lay lOO eggs at different times 
during its season from May to July. The eggs 
seem to hatch quickly, the little grubs finding 
their way in to the bulb when their destruc- 
tive work commences. There they live on 
the tissues and heart of the bulb until autumn 



ONE INSECT AND ONE DISEASE 97 

when they eat their way out and hibernate 
in the ground in chrysalis form until spring 
when the fly hatches out and begins its annual 
cycle." 

Imported bulbs of the lower priced cheaper 
grades may be to some extent infected. A 
blackish spot the size of a pin's head near the 
shoulder of the bulb is suspiciously indicative 
that a grub has entered. If a similar and 
larger spot is found near the base of the bulb 
your suspicions are likely to be well founded, 
for it is customary for these grubs to make 
the second hole as an outlet for the frass. 

Of course, to be on the safe side, you will 
destroy infected bulbs with their inhabitants 
and this is not any sacrifice, because only 
healthy bulbs will give perfect flowers. Where 
the flies do appear they are trapped on plates 
containing thick molasses in the centre with 
edges smeared with honey to attract them. 

Of course, there are some other minor di- 
seases and troubles, but their total result 
amounts to practically nothing. As affecting 
the gardener, for whom this book is written 
they may be ignored, and so are dismissed 
with this bare reference. 



CHAPTER IX 

Straightening Daffodil Nomencla- 
ture AND Classification 

Up to a hundred years ago, when there 
were comparatively few kinds or varieties In 
this now numerous family, the old system of 
naming — always descriptive — answered ad- 
mirably; but, with the advent of numer- 
ous Intermediate types, perhaps combining 
the distinctive forms of both parents, and 
so to be classed with neither, something 
else became Imperative. The old name 
"Pseudo-Narcissus albus aureus," signify- 
ing the large yellow trumpet daffodil with 
white perianth petals, could now be applied 
to a dozen or more varieties, each one of 
which has a distinct individuality. After 
several fruitless efforts had been made to 
straighten out the nomenclature by retaining 
the old Latin names, light was at last shed 
by Mr. J. G. Baker, In 1869, whose arrange- 
ment of the genus Into three main sub-divl- 

98 



NOMENCLATURE — CLASSIFICATION 99 

slons Stands to-day. These are respectively 
magni-coronati, medlo-coronati, and parvi- 
coronati, wittily interpreted into "long-nosed" 
"short-nosed" and "snub-nosed," now com- 
monly spoken of as trumpet, cup and saucer. 

(Editor's Note: These three popular terms are intro- 
duced as being entirely logical and descriptive. The word 
"crown" that has sometimes been used to indicate the en- 
tire medio-coronati sub-division, is inadequate since it is 
a translation of part of the Latin designation of all three 
sub-divisions.) 

Baker's arrangement with a few modifica- 
tions received official approval at the Daffo- 
dil Conference of the Royal Horticultural 
Society held in London in 1884. The matter 
of future nomenclature was solved by the 
adoption of the following resolution : 

RESOLVED : "That in the opinion of this conference, uni- 
formity of nomenclature is most desirable, and that 
garden varieties of narcissus, whether known hybrids 
or natural seedlings, should be named or numbered 
in the manner adopted by florists and not in the 
manner adopted by botanists." 

Under this ruling all recent varieties are 
given English names, the Latin titles being 
retained for the old species, sub-species and 
wild hybrids. 

To a very great degree, the botanical sub- 
divisions of the family agree with the garden 

LOFC. 



lOO DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

groups and they are conveniently considered 
in that light. 

The genus Narcissus has species of two 
distinct types of foliage : flat-leaved, which 
characterises the trumpet daffodils as well 
as the poet's and Tazetta narcissus; and the 
rush-leaved, which is found in jonquils, and 
which are thereby pretty well isolated into 
a distinct garden group. 

For the practical man's convenience, in 
the following chapters, the garden, or hor- 
ticultural significance of the types and sec- 
tions has been considered, rather than their 
exact botanical sequence, and the varieties 
are listed according to these artificial but prac- 
tical garden groups as follows: 

GROUP I. — ^THE GIANT-TRUMPET OR AJAX 
DAFFODILS 

Embracing all the one-flowered varieties 
having a cyclindrlcal, or funnel-shaped trum- 
pet at least three-quarters as long as the petals, 
which are spread horizontally, or are Inclined 
forward; not deflexed. These again are sub- 
divided as follows: 



NOMENCLATURE — CLASSIFICATION lOI 

A. Yellow Ajax; self yellow varieties derived from 
wild flowcFS of yellow A^. Pseudo-Narcissus. 

B. White Ajax; white petals and white or sulphur trum- 
pets; descendants from A'^. moschatus and the Pyrenean 
form, N. pallidus praecox, both of which are marked 
sub-species of A^ Pseudo-Narcissus. 

C. Bicolor Ajax; yellow trumpets and white petals; hy- 
brids of the two preceding groups. 

GROUP II. THE LESSER TRUMPETS 

Here are included two sections, Backhousei 
and Humei, both of which, botanically con- 
sidered, belong with the trumpet daffodils, 
but for garden purposes are separated from 
the Ajax group, partly on account of size as 
they are both comparatively smaller. 

A^. Backhousei, hybrid of Ajax and N. incomparabilis. The 
trumpet often is as large as the petals and the crown 
itself often unflared, giving it a tubular appearance. 
There is considerable difficulty in the exact placing of 
this section, it being sometimes considered among 
large trumpet daffodils and at other times as belonging 
to the intermediate, or medium-crowned group which 
is composed entirely of hybrid forms between the first 
and third of Baker's classification. 

A'. Humei and its varieties ("Dog-Eared Daffodils") are 
garden hybrids between A^. Pseudo-Narcissus and A^. 
incomparabilis, flower drooping and petals inclined 
forward. In other respects the flowers of this section 
agree with Group I. 



I02 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

GROUP III. — THE HOOP-PETTICOAT DAFFO- 
DILS 

A very distinct group, with conspicuous, 
wide-flaring trumpets and insignificant petals 
but the same colour as the trumpet; stamens 
deflexed, which does not occur in any other 
group; leaves rush-like. 

All varieties of N. Bulbocodium (sometimes spoken of as 
A'^. Corbularia). 

GROUP IV. CYCLAMEN-FLOWERED DAFFO- 
DILS 

This is an artificial group, but is well 
marked from the horticultural standpoint, be- 
cause the petals in the three sections which 
comprise this group are reflexed. All have 
comparatively large trumpets. 

A. N. cyclamineus; the yellow cyclamen-flowered daf- 
fodil (sometimes considered to be a sub-species of 
yellow Ajax). Sharply reflexed petals, so that the 
petals and trumpet form one continuous line; leaves 
flat. 

B. N. Johnstoni; Johnston's cyclamen-flowered daffodils. 

Wild hybrids between an Ajax variety and the follow- 
ing, A^ triandrus. The flowers of this group are 
similar to those of the large trumpet varieties with 



NOMENCLATURE CLASSIFICATION 103 

the exception of having reflexed petals; flat leaves. 
N. triandrus; white cyclamen-flowered daffodil, or 
"Angel's Tears"; two or three flowers to a stem. 
White with petals well reflexed ; flowers small ; leave* 
rush-like. 



GROUP V. MEDIUM-CROWNED HYBRIDS 

This large group of cup daffodils is a 
most interesting one and corresponds practi- 
cally to the second division of Baker's mono- 
graph "the medio-coronati." In this we con- 
sider seven hybrid groups which are distin- 
guished by the proportionate length of the 
trumpet which is now shortened to a cup. 
All are hybrids between the larger-crowned, 
or trumpet daffodils and the smaller-crowned 
or saucer narcissus. The sections as here 
grouped are in relation to the diminishing 
size of the crown or cup. 

A. N. incomparabilis ; hybrid between yellow Ajax and 

A^. poeticus; goblet-shaped crown one-third to three- 
quarters the length of the petals; colouring, various. 

B. N. Nelsoni; Nelson's goblet-cupped, or "shortened bi- 

colour"; garden hybrids between bicolor Ajax and N. 
poeticus. White petals; goblet-shaped crown more 
than one-half the length of the petals. 

C. N. Leedsii; Leeds' silver-winged star daffodils; hy- 
brids of white Ajax and N. poeticus. In reality, 



I04 



DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 



white and sulphur cupped forms of Barrii and incora- 
parabilis. 

D. N. montanus; the drooping silver-starred narcissus; 
natural hybrid possibly of A^. moschatus and A'^. poeti- 
cus. Flower drooping; star-like perianth, pure white; 
cup white. 

E. N. Maclaei; a natural hybrid probably between bi- 

color Ajax and A^. Tazetta, aptly described as "droop- 
ing baby bicolor." Petals milk white, with bright 
golden-yellow crown two-thirds as long as the petals. 

F N. Barrii; garden hybrids of various forms; hybrids of 
N. poeticus and an Ajax variety, while a cross of N. 
poeticus and N. incomparabilis will yield flowers of 
both Barrii and Burbidgei forms. Flowers usually 
smaller than those of A^. incomparabilis borne nearly 
erect; cup always yellow and usually orange-reddish 
rimmed, wide-mouthed and one-fourth to one-third the 
length of the star-like yellow, or pale yellow petals. 

G. N. Bernardi; natural hybrid between A^. abscissus (a 
yellow Ajax variety) and A^. poeticus; very variable; 
flowers with spreading white petals, twice as long 
as the yellow cup. 

GROUP VI. THE poet's NARCISSUS 

Late and comparatively late-flowered varie- 
ties in which the varieties of the white-petalled 
and fragrant poet's narcissus, or hybrids 
which are marked by their shallow, saucer- 
like crowns, are included. 



A. N. poeticus with its varieties. Distinguished by pure 
white petals surrounding a small, round, flattened, 



NOMENCLATURE CLASSIFICATION 105 

saucer-like crown, not more than one-half the length 
of the petal and edged with carmine. 

B. N. biflorus; hybrid of N. Tazetta and A^. poeticus. 
Flowers like N. poeticus in form and colour, but with- 
out the red brim to the cup and borne in clusters of 
two or three. This is Parkinson's "primrose peerless" 
daflFodil. 

C. N. Burbidgei; "dolly cup" narcissus; garden hybrid 

of N. incomparabilis and A^. poeticus, closely resem- 
bling poeticus. Flowers borne singly; cup about one- 
fourth the length of the petals, and a trifle longer 
and not quite so flat as in A'^. poeticus; petals white, 
sulphur or yellow. Flowers earlier than poeticus. 

D. N. Englehearti; Engleheart's flat-crowned poet's nar- 

cissus; hybrids of A^. poeticus and N. incomparabilis, 
many of which have been separated from the Burbid- 
gei section and may be aptly described as Burbidgei 
forms with fluted, or ruffled flat cups. 

GROUP VII. — THE JONQUILS AND CAMPER- 

NELLES 

Rush-leaved, yellow, cluster-flowered and 
dellclously scented, small-growing species and 
varieties which show a great range of varia- 
tion in themselves, and about which there is 
considerable confusion, one authority (Eng- 
lish) holding that the true Campernelle vari- 
ety has a flaring cup, and another (Dutch), 
equally competent, asserting the Campernelle 
has a spreading cup. It is in this manner 



lo6 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Stocks are mixed and nomenclature becomes 
confused. 

A. N. Jonquilla; true sweet-scented jonquil ; petals three 

to four times as long as the saucer-shaped shallow 
crown ; though usually regarded as a species, has 
sometimes been supposed to be a hybrid between N. 
Tazetta and N. gracilis; very variable. 

B. N. odorus; Campernelle or giant jonquil; considered to 

be a hybrid between yellow Ajax and N. Jonquilla; 
larger than the preceding, wider petals and more up- 
right cup, more widely flared. 

C. N. gracilis; later flowering than the jonquil, opening 

yellow and fading with age. Petals spreading and 
imbricated. One to three flowered. 

D. N. juncifolius; "baby jonquil"; the very smallest 

species, generally bearing three bright yellow flowers, 
petals well imbricated, about twice as long as the cup 
which is often widely expanded; very variable; petals 
about one-third of an inch long. 

GROUP VIII. THE TENDER^ CLUSTER-FLOW- 
ERED NARCISSUS 

Including all the cluster-flowered, flat- 
leaved species which are not reliably hardy in 
the North, but which may be grown outdoors 
in the South and are excellent for forcing. 

A. N. Tazetta; remarkably variable; usually four to eight 
flowers; perianth segments white or yellow, well im- 
bricated and spreading horizontally; crown cup- 



NOMENCLATURE — CLASSIFICATION I07 

shaped, relatively small and generally yellow but 
white in some forms; popularly known as the polyan- 
thus narcissus. 

& C, N. orientalis: N. intermedius. These form a 
sub-section and which might be called "intermediate, 
cluster-flowered" narcissus. They are all natural 
hybrids and so closely resemble the true Tazettas thav 
it is very difficult to separate them. More hardy, and 
the leaves of the N. intermedius group are more rush-* 
like than those of the true Tazettas. A^. orientalis is 
supposed to be a hybrid between A'^. Tazetta and N, 
incomparabilis. Flat leaves. 



GROUP IX. — HARDY CLUSTER-FLOWERED 
NARCISSUS 

This group Is likely to grow Into consider- 
able Importance through the acquisition of the 
new hybrids between A^. poeticus and N, 
Tazetta. 



A. N. poetaz; cluster-flowered hybrids of A^. poeticus and 

N. Tazetta, having individual flower characters very 
closely resembling the former one in colour and size. 
A most remarkable recent acquisition in the family. 

B. N. tridymus; the long-crowned, cluster-flowered daffo- 

dils; hybrids between Ajax and N. Tazetta; individ- 
ual flowers .csemble a small form of Nelsoni. They 
differ from all odier cluster-flowered narcissus in the 
comparatively long crown. 



I08 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

GROUP X. DOUBLE-FLOWERING NARCISSUS 

AND DAFFODILS 

Double forms of species or varieties from 
any of the foregoing groups. 

GROUP XI. — AUTUMN-FLOWERING NARCIS-j 

SUS 

A few curious species of little garden value. 

[Note — A botanical key to the species 
and sections of the genus Narcissus v/Ul be 
found In the Appendix, page 220.] 

THE named varieties 

In the following pages will be found de- 
scriptions of practically all the purchasable 
varieties of narcissus and daffodil, notes upon 
their Importance as garden plants and ap- 
proximate prices at this writing (1907). 
Many of the very newest seedlings are not 
yet on the market and so are Ignored, al- 
though some of them will no doubt supersede 
varieties now grown. 

The catalogues of growers in Europe and 



Plate XIII 







THE POET'S NARCISSUS IN LANDSCAPE EFFECT 

In conjunction with scenery, especially where water is used, the white poet's 
narcissus will give most happy results. It prefers a heavy soil 



NOMENCLATURE CLASSIFICATION IO9 

America have been thoroughly searched and 
the synonomy noted. For instance: "Abscis- 
sus" and "Muticus" represent the same vari- 
ety; "Emperor" and "Lorifolius Emperor" 
are the same; "Golden Spur" and "Spurius 
Golden Spur" are the same; "Grandis" and 
"Grandee" are the same. These different 
names for one variety are very bothersome to 
the beginner, as I know by experience. 

If the name of a variety be known, but not 
its class, reference must be had to the index, 
where it will be found in alphabetical order. 

EXPLANATION OF SIGNS. 

In the discriptions of narcissus and daffo- 
dils which follow various signs will be noted 
following the name of the variety, the mean- 
ings, of which are here explained: 

The letters: A, B, C, D, E, and F, indicate the degree 
of earliness or lateness in flowering in the open under ordi- 
nary weather conditions, the wintry weather not unduly 
extended into spring to retard the earlies, nor the summer 
suddenly bursting forth^ and hastening the flowering of the 
late varieties. During normal seasons the difference in time 
of flowering between the A's and B's and C's, etc., should 
be from a week to ten days. We can not give the exact 
time that flowers are due for all latitudes and altitudes so 
have followed dates noted in the author's grounds near 
New York City. Allow six days later for every hundred 



no DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

miles north and six days earlier for every hundred miles 
south, on sea level. 

The varieties may be expected to flower near New York 
City as follows: 

Those marked A during the first and second weeks of April. 
Those marked B during the second and third weeks of 

April. 
Those marked C during the third and fourth weeks of 

April. 
Those marked D during the fourth week of April and first 

week of May. 
Those marked E during the first and second weeks of May. 
Those marked F during the second and third weeks of May. 

The season may be considerably ex- 
tended by planting In special situations and 
by other cultural conditions (see pages 41 and 
42) so that daffodils outdoors may In fact be 
had for over three months. 

* Vigorous-growing, free-blooming; well suited for natur- 
alising, 
t Especially adapted for naturalising in partial shade or 

on slopes facing the north. 
^ For planting in gardens, herbaceous borders, etc., 
§ For growing in pots, etc., for winter flowers. 

In regard to awards made to varieties, R. H. S. stands 
for Royal Horticultural Society, and R. B. S. for Royal Bo- 
tanic Society, both of London, England. 



CHAPTER X 

The Large Trumpet Daffodils 

All varieties, regardless of size, belong to 
this group, If they have a tubular corona ex- 
panding trumpet-like at the mouth where It 
must be as broad as It Is long; the trumpet 
not be less than three-quarters the length of 
the petals. This "large trumpet," or daffodil, 
section Is again sub-dlvlded Into three colour 
groups, viz: the "Ajax self," or all yellow; 
the "Ajax bicolor," or white winged yellow 
trumpets; and the "Ajax albino" or all-white 
varieties, 

ALL YELLOW TRUMPETS 

This group of more than lOO different 
named varieties has been developed from the 
wild A^. Pseudo-Narcissus. The all-yellow 
trumpet varieties have greater adaptability 
to varying methods of cultivation in most cli- 
mates and soils than any other members of the 
family, are excellent for naturalising and for 
winter forcing. 

ZZI 



1 1 2 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

Abscissus. Syn: muticus. (D. 12 in. t$2.50 hu.) A 
native of the French Pyrenees. Belongs to the broad- 
leaved lorifolius section and is one of the latest blooming 
of all trumpet daffodils. It is somewhat variable in size 
and form, though well-rogued cultivated strains usually 
produce large flowers with a much elongated trumpet of 
bright yellow and a sulphur-yellow perianth of 
twisted petals. It is a free pollen bearer and a parent 
of some of the best bi-colours. Well suited for naturalising. 
When mingled with the red-mouthed poeticus types, 
flowering at the same time, they cross freely 
and produce many interesting hybrids, and, according to 
Mr. Max Leichtlin, "if we are to have scarlet daffodils 
this would be the beginning." 

Achilles. (B. 15 in. *$2.5o hu.) A native of Guernsey, 
very early and free flowering. A handsome flower 
with rich yellow trumpet and a sulphury-yellow perianth. 

Admiral Makaroff. (C. 20 in. § tf $5 ea.) A new seed- 
ling, a fine large flower of the Emperor type: soft yellow 
trumpet, broad, smooth and straight with a wide-fluted 
nouth, perianth light yellow. 

Admiral Togo. (C. 20 in. §11$2 ea.) A handsome 
seedling of strong growth and free-blooming qualities. 
A bold flower with widely expanded golden trumpet and 
broad canary-yellow perianth: desirable for pot culture and 
borders. 

Alida. (D. ^ 50c ea.) A new seedling of strong 
growth, blooming very late. It produces a very large, 
finely-shaped flower with a long bright yellow trumpet and 
a soft canary-yellow perianth. 

Alvarez. (D. 6 in. $3 doz.) A new seedling, the 
miniature of Emperor. A sturdy plant of dwarf growth 
producing dainty, rich yellow flowers of much substance. 

Ard Rich. Syns: Irish King and Yelloiv King. (A 
15 in. t$i doz.) An extra early flowering variety, a 
favourite for forcing and for naturalising. Freshly 



LARGE TRUMPET II3 

manured soils rich in vegetable humus it resents, 
thriving best in a well-drained, coarse loam. Under 
congenial conditions, it produces splendid large flowers 
with deep yellow perianths and large, rich yellow trum- 
pets. It is one of the earliest of all large trumpets to 
bloom. Annual lifting is advisable as it becomes dormant 
early, and new root action soon begins — replanting should 
therefore be done not later than September. 

Big Ben. (B. 21 in. §t[$2.5o ea.) One of the newer 
varieties ranking among the giant trumpets. The flowers 
measure about five inches across. Perianth sulphur yellow, 
trumpet yellow. A flower of good form and substance ; 
a strong grower, free seeder, and very valuable for hy- 
bridising. Awarded certificate of merit by the Royal 
Botanic Societ>'. 

Cambricus. (B. t$i 50 doz.) A Welsh Lent lily; an 
early flowering beautiful variety; a favourite for natural- 
ising in turf; perianth sulphur, trumpet yellow 

Captain Nelson. (B. 13 in. § tf $2.50 doz.) A large 
distinct and handsome early flower of soft, clear yellow ; 
long incurving perianth petals; trumpet of gigantic size, 
long and spreading. A fine sort for pot and garden cul- 
ture: Awarded first-class certificate by the Royal Horti- 
cultural Society. 

Cervantes. (A. 15 in. §$1.50 doz.) A remarkably 
early flowering form of Princeps which it resembles in 
form. It is fully as large in size though of rather a diff- 
eient colour being a uniform pale primrose in tone. It can 
be flowered by Christmas if desired, and is valuable as 
an early market flower. 

C. H. Curtis, (C. 18 in. § If $1.50 ea.) A magnificent 
new variety similar to Monarch but much better; a very 
large flower of model form with a bold expanded trumpet 
of golden yellow and a broad smooth perianth of deep 
primrose. 

Cleopatra. (D. §11 $25 ea.) Another new variety 



114 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

resembling Monarch. It is one of the largest and most 
perfectly formed of all the giant yellow trumpets. The 
trumpet is long, bold and of deep yellow: the perianth 
rich yellow, its petals broad and gathered at the base. 
Like all the largest flowering sorts it is late in blooming. 
Especially good for pots and borders. Awarded the certi- 
ficate of merit from Birmingham and also from the Royal 
Horticultural Society of England. 

CoRONATUS. (B. 19 in. t $5 doz.) An early flowering 
■variety with a broadly expanded trumpet of rich yellow 
and a spreading light yellow perianth of wide petals. It 
thrives best in partially shaded situations. First-class certifi- 
cate, R. H. S. 

Countess of Annesley. (A. 15 in. f § lI$i.5o doz.) A 
vigorous, extra early flowering Irish daffodil with a dis- 
tinctive large bold flower, trumpet of a rich golden yellow 
well expanded, serrated and flanged: perianth sulphur, 
yellow, imbricated and hooded. Good for pot and border 
culture and useful for naturalising, thriving best in par- 
tial shade. 

Countess of Desmond. (B. 13 in. t$i-25 doz.) A de- 
sirable early free-flowering dwarf variety, prjducing a 
bold flower with a pale yellow trumpet, well flanged at the 
brim, and a perianth of soft primrose. Quite a gem when 
naturalised in the grass. 

Crom-a-Boo. Syn: Croivn Frilled. (A. 15 in. t 50c. ea.) 
An extra early flowering daffodil, found wild in Ireland. 
The trumpet is frilled or gathered the whole length. 
Colour, a self yellow. It thrives best when naturalised in 
partial shade. 

Daniel Dewar. (B. *$i.50 doz.) A very early flower- 
ing daffodil, varying in colour from orange-yellow to 
cream white, this variation being often shown in one flower. 
It is a free seeder and splendid for naturalising in grass. 

Defiance. (A. 21 in. $3 ea.) A new daffodil with light 



LARGE TRUMPET II5 

yellow petals, and a beautifully twisted, large trumpet, 
golden yellow — well flanged at the brim. 

Early Bird. Syn: North Star. (A. §^$2 doz.) Per- 
haps the earliest yellow daflFodil in cultivation. It is ad- 
mirably adapted for forcing, and if potted in September 
may be had in flower at Christmas. Out of doors it blooms 
two to three weeks earlier than any other sort. The flower 
is of medium size and resembles the Tenby in outline. 
The colour is full yellow, the perianth perhaps slightly 
lighter in shade. 

Eliza Turck. (C. h in. H § * $1.50 doz.) A good-grow- 
ing, free-flowering dwarf variety, well suited for the front 
'cf borders and edgings, for rock gardens and naturalising, 
as well as for pot culture. The flowers, of refined form, 
are of soft, uniform yellow. 

Emperor. Syn: Lorifolius Emperor. (C. 21 in. § H * 60c. 
doz.) A universally admired variety. It is one of the 
best and largest of the all-yellow daffodils^ deservedly 
popular for pot culture, forcing, naturalising and for use 
in borders. The flowers, borne on long stems, are of im- 
mense size, firm in substance and of well-balanced form. 
The broad trumpet is rich golden yellow, and the petals- 
broad and rounded — are but slightly lighter in (one. It is 
a strong, healthy grower and a free bloomer, doing its 
best in a strong, rich, well-drained loam. 

Excelsior. Syn: Spurius Excelsior. (B. 18 in. § ^ * $i 
doz.) A new extra large, early flowering, variet>% similar 
to Golden Spur, but richer in colour, being a deep self- 
yellow throughout ; splendid for pot culture and for forcing, 
and is thought to be the forcing narcissus of the future. 

Fred Moore. (C. 14 in. §1I$2 ea.) A new seedling; 
a handsome flower of much substance, with an immense 
deep golden trumpet, well expanded at the mouth. The 
broad petals are well formed and of light yellow. A 
grand variety for pot culture and for borders. Award of 
Merit, R. H. S. 



Il6 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

George Philip Haydcn. (C. i8 In. $125. ea.) A new 
variety, having a very large, extra good flower of splendid 
texture and refined form. Trumpet, canary yellow, with 
large open mouth, fluted and flanged ; perianth light yellow, 
the petals being broad and rounded. A strong grower, 
with wide foliage; flowers in mid-season. 

Glory of Leiden. (D. 14 in. §^$2.50 doz.) Dubbed 
^nd truly "The King of Daffodils." It is a giant 
seedling resembling, but superior to. Emperor, one of its 
parents. A strong grower, with massive flowers of great 
^substance, boldly tilting upwards on strong stems, challeng- 
ing admiration and comparison with more modest semi- 
pendent flowering varieties. Glory of Leiden, big and 
beautiful, seems conscious of its superiority in size, strength 
and durability. It comes unscathed through vicissitudes 
of unseasonable weather that dim the beauty of many more 
delicate sorts. It can always be depended upon as a "show 
flower," and to be the surprise and envy of daffodil-loving 
visitors. The enormous trumpet is rich yellow, the petals 
broad and rounded, of lighter shade with deeper yellow 
pencilings. For pot culture, flower beds and borders it 
is most effective. First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

Golden Bell. (A. 14 in. §ll*$i ea.) An extra-early 
and remarkably free-flowering daffodil, with broad, light 
yellow twisted petals and a large and prominent trumpet, 
with an open frilled mouth. It is a tall grower, and most 
adaptable for pot culture, borders and naturalising. First- 
class certificate, R. H. S. 

Golden Eagle. (B. §$1.50 doz.) A vigorous, early 
flowering, self-coloured variety of rich yellow. A splendid 
forcer and valuable for market. 

Golden Plover. Syn: Golden Princeps. (B. 14 in. § ^ * 
75c. doz.) An early flowering Irish daffodil having a 
rich yellow trumpet and perianth. It is of the same habit 
and nearly as early as Ard Righ, with a strong, vigorous 
constitution. Easily forced for cut flowers, and as it seeds 



LARGE TRUMPET II7 

freely is a desirable variety for gardens and naturalising. 

Golden Prince. (B. 16 in. $4 doz.) An early flower- 
ing daffodil of a uniform golden yellow. The trumpet is 
lobed and serrated at the brim. Foliage broad and leek 
like. 

Golden Spur. Syn: Spurius Golden Spur. (A. 18 in. 
* § If 50c doz.) A native of the Netherlands. An extra 
early free-flowering variety that is a great favourite with 
the writer, who if he could have but one daffodil would 
choose this. It is not the biggest, nor yet the most beauti- 
ful, but when you plant a dozen bulbs of it you are pretty 
sure to get eighteen to twenty-four flowers all large, perfect 
and as richly coloured as the most fastidious grower could 
desire. Golden Spur has a vigorous constitution, is easily 
forced in flats, flowers beautifully in pots, and is perfectly 
at home in the garden border; and when naturalised, seeds 
freely and increases correspondingly. The flowers of large 
size have a spreading megaphone-like trumpet with grace- 
fully rolled brim, perianth large and open. The colour, a 
self-yellow, is almost as deep as that of maximus. 

Hamlet. (C. i8 in. §^$1.50 ea.) A handsome new 
variety after the style of Emperor, with a bold, well-formed 
yellow trumpet, and a large broad, flat, light yellow peri- 
anth. 

Henry Irving. Syn: Spurius Hy. Irving. (A. 18 in. 
§ H * 50c doz.) A native of the Netherlands and a fine type 
of spurius major, with handsome flowers of great substance. 
Trumpet, rich golden yellow, wide and recurved at the 
mouth. Perianth, broad, spreading and of clear yellow. Ex- 
cellent for forcing, pot culture, growing in borders and nat- 
uralising in grass. It thrives best in sandy, gritty loam, and 
like all of the "spuriu?" class, can be injured by kind- 
ness; that is, given a soil too freshly manured. 

Her Majesty. (B. 15 in. $1.50 doz.) An early flowering 
light, self yellow, expanding trumpet, beautifully serrated 
at the brim. 



Il8 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Hon. Mrs. Jocelyn. (D. 19 in, § U $1 ea.) A new and 
but is a free producer of large flowers elegantly formed, 
and of a uniform rich golden yellow; perianth, large and 
winged, the petals being longer than the straight crown or 
trumpet, which is elegantly serrated at the brim. Well 
suited for both pot and border cultivation. 

Isolde. (D. 20 in. § lI$5o ea.) A new daffodil having 
a handsome large flower with a bold campanulate light 
yellow perianth, which sometimes measures five inches 
across ; trumpet long and of soft yellow. This is a good late 
flowering variety for both pot and border culture. 

IvANHOE. (C. 10 in. § H $1.50 ea.) A new variety of rich 
uniform lemon yellow. It is similar to John Nelson, but of 
better quality. 

John Bright. (A. § $2 doz.) Of Dutch origin, be- 
longing to the spurius family. It is of dwarf spreading 
rich yellow colour. The petals incurve towards the trumpet, 
of distinct clear yellow. Excellent for pot culture and 
forcing. 

John Nelson. (C. 10 in. § H * $5 doz.) A very dis- 
tinct late flowering dwarf variety, of an almost uniform 
rich yellow color. The petals incurve towards the trumpet, 
forming a large rounded flower, which droops and nods al- 
most to the surface like Mrs. J. B. M. Camm, Colleen Bawn, 
and others of its class. For pot and border cultivation and 
for naturalising it is especially adapted. 

King Alfred. (B. 24 in. § H $15 ea.) A new 
daffodil, perhaps the most beautiful of all yellow trumpets; 
free and early flowering. The flowers are not only of im- 
mense size but are of noble form and great substance. The 
trumpet is extra large and elegantly frilled at the mouth. 
The colour is a deep rich maximus yellow. The plant, 
which has bluish green foliage, is strong, vigorous and 
healthy, and grows two feet high. It is a superb variety 
for exhibition, pot and border culture. First-class certifi- 



LARGE TRUMPET I 19 

cate, R. H. S.; Award of Merit, R. B. S., and Premier Prize 
Midland Daffodil Society. 

King Humbert. Syn: King Umberto. (B. t$2.5o hu.) 
A wild, early flowering Italian daffodil of robust growth. 
Desirable for naturalising in shaded places, and also amen- 
able to forcing. Trumpet yellow, perianth, paler in colour 
with darker yellow stripes through the centre of each petal. 

Lady Helen Vincent. (C. 13 in. § H $6 ea.) A com- 
paratively new, large trumpet variety, with flowers of re- 
fined form and good substance ; blossoming in mid-season. 
Colour, a uniform, soft and clear yellow ; excellent for pot 
and border cultivation. Award of Merit, R. H. S. 

Lady Willes. (C. 14 in. § H * $3 doz.) A handsome, 
strong-growing, free-blooming daffodil, with bold yellow 
trumpet, having a deeply flanged open mouth. Perianth 
light yellow. Adaptable for both pot and garden culture. 

LORNA DooNE. (B. Tc in. $4 ea.) A distinct new variety 
of richest canary yellow. Trumpet long, tube-like and 
beautifully fluted. Erect habit. Foliage broad, resem- 
bling that of Emperor. 

Lord Roberts. (C. 23 in. § il $20 ea.) A new giant- 
flowering variety, and one of the grandest of all yellow 
trumpet daffodils. Broad and massive petals and a noble 
trumpet, all of a rich uniform golden yellow. A strong, 
tall grower and blooms freely in mid-season. Awarded 
first-class certificate, R. H. S., Midland Daffodil Society, 
and Cornwall Daffodil Society, etc. 

LoRlFOLius. A section with broad, flat, massive foliage 
best represented in the varieties Abscissus (Muticus), Em- 
peror, P. R. Barr, Rugilobus, etc. 

Major. (C. §11* 50c. doz.) The true Trumpet Major 
has a handsome large flower of rich golden yellow, nearly 
as deep as Maximus. It is a mid-season variety, effective 
for pot culture; also for borders and naturalising where 
conditions suit it, otherwise a shy bloomer. Tens of thou- 
lands, perhaps niillions of bulbs, are annually sold under 



1 20 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

the name of "Trumpet Major," most of them for forcing. 
To the best knowledge of the writer the majority of these 
are the following: 

Major Spurius. (A. §t$2.5o hu.), also known as 
Early Flowering Major, Early Trumpet Major, and 
Spurius Major, is in reality a type of Single Van 
Sion. A splendid winter forcer, and valuable for cut 
flowers. Similar in form to the true Trumpet Major, but 
somewhat smaller and lighter in colour. Spurius Major is 
two to three weeks — some claim four weeks — earlier. 

Maximus, or Trumpet Maximus (B. 18 in. § H * 75c. doz.) 
is the recognised peer in colouring among yellow daffodils, 
being intense golden-orange throughout. The leputation 
of any daffodil approaching "maximus colour" is establish- 
ed. Unfortunately, perfection in everything is never centred 
in any one individual, animal or plant, and N. Maximus is 
no exception. While the flower is of grand size, form and 
colour, with an immense, beautifully formed, well-opened 
recurve-brimmed trumpet and large, gracefully twisted 
petals, it has one fault — shy blooming, or not blooming at 
all, excepting under congenial conditions. Those who supply 
these conditions will glory in the result. The bulbs of N. 
Maximus require to be planted not less than five inches 
deep in well-drained (and if possible, trenched) strong 
rich loam, with some very old rotted manure below — not 
in contact with — the bulbs. The prong-like roots start 
early in the fall down deep in the soil. If the bulbs can 
be planted in August — and the roots find their desired food 
— magnificent flowers may be expected, on stems two to 
three feet high. 

Maximus superbus iongivirens. Syn: Maximus of the 
Pyrenees. (B. 18 in. §1[*$2 doz.) The characteristics 
of this variety so closely resemble those of the variety just 
described that the writer has been unable to appreciate any 
distinguishing differences in comparative tests covering 
teveral years. It may be that under other conditions of 



LARGE TRUMPET 121 

soil or climate, Maximus-longivirens might prove the cata- 
loguers' claims of superiority, viz. : "Earlier in flowering, 
a freer bloomer and of richer orange-yellow colouring." 
The added name "longivirens" (meaning long-lived foli- 
age) applies, as far as my experience goes, to both varieties, 
the leaves remaining green a month longer than the foliage 
of other varieties. 

Mikado. (C. 15 in. §11 $3 ea.) A handsome, large 
flowering new seedling of the Maximus style. Colour, gold- 
en-yellow. Trumpet, very large, open-mouthed and deeply 
flanged at the brim. Petals, gracefully twisted. A mid- 
season free-flowering variety. 

Minor. Syn: Trumpet Minor, Nanus minor, Dutch 
minor, etc. (A. 7 in. t$2.50 hu.) This is the single form 
of the double-flowering Rip Van Winkle. Minor is a very 
dwarf, very early and very small flowering type, a perfect 
"baby daffodil," valuable for edgings, rock work and for 
naturalising. It increases rapidly, thriving best in shaded 
locations. The trumpet, expanded and distinctly lobed, as 
well as the gracefully twisted petals are of rich yellow. 

Minimus. Syn: Nanus minimus. (A. 3 in. f 75c. doz.) 
This pigmy, the smallest and most dwarfed trumpet daflPo- 
dil known, grows only three inches high, producing dainty, 
perfectly formed flowers, not exceeding one inch from tip 
to tip of perianth. The colour of both trumpet and perianth 
is rich yellow. This quaint lilliputian is a gem for edgings, 
rock work and naturalising, and if grown in a pot, gives 
a most charming effect. It thrives in peaty soil or sandy, 
gritty loam. 

M. J. Berkeley. (B. 17 in. § ^ * $1 doz.) A magnifi- 
cent large and early flowering variety, rich yellow colour, 
the flower resembling that of Maximus but slightly 
lighter in tone. The trumpet is large, well expanded and 
reflexed at the brim ; the petals are better formed than 
those of Maximus. Popular for pot and border cultivation 
and naturalising. 



122 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Monarch. Syn: Golden Giant (C. 20 in. § H $5 ea.) 
A noble flower, large, of model form, good substance, one 
of the best of the yellow trumpets. Large trumpet and 
perianth, both of full rich yellow ; a strong, sturdy grower, 
flowering in mid-season. Superb for pot and border cul- 
ture. 

Morning Star. (B. $1.50 doz.) An early flowering 
dwarf variety, with a deep yellow trumpet and a pale 
yellow perianth. 

Mrs. H. J. Elwes. (B. 17 in. $2 doz.) Very early 
flowering variety with large trumpet. Entire flower soft, 
clear yellow. 

Nanus. Syn: Nanus Major: Lobularis Neerlandicus. (A. 
6 in. t $1-50 doz.) Closely similar to Dutch minor, with 
possibly a trifle larger flower. A very dwarf, extra early 
flowering variety, blooming with chinodoxas, scillas and 
crocus, and is a pretty companion for such early flowering 
bulbs. Yellow trumpet and lighter yellow perianth. In 
Ireland it is popularly called the Earth Star, "its flowers be- 
spangle the earth like golden stars." It grows about six 
inches high, thriving best in partial shade, and is a gem 
for naturalising and edgings. 

Obvallaris. (A. T2 in. t H § 50c. doz.) The old "Ten- 
by" daffodil, long popular for its many good qualities. A 
distinct extra early variety of stiff upright habit. Flow- 
ers full rich yellow, the trumpet short but well expanded, 
petals broad and well rounded. It forces well, is excellent 
in pots and thrives when naturalised in shaded positions. 

Obvallaris pallidus. Syn: Buttercup. (A. 12 in. § f 
$1 doz.) The pale primrose-coloured form of the Tenby 
daffodil. Extra early, a beauty in pots, and superb for 
naturalising in grass. 

OoNAH. (B. § t $2 doz.) A very early flowering bright 
canary-yellow self; a new seedling with flowers of lasting 
quality. A free seeder. 



LARGE TRUMPET 1 23 

Ophelia. ($1.50 ea.) Seedling from Emperor. Flowers 
neatly hooded and of refined form. Colour, rich canary 
yellow. 

Ophir. ($3 doz.) A long barrel-shaped trumpet of 
rich golden yellow. A good market variety. Dwarf. 

Othello. (E. io in. §11* $1.50 ea.) A new seedling 
with a broad campanulate, primrose-yellow perianth and 
a rich yellow trumpet. A flower of good subsiance. A 
dwarf, sturdy grower. Very late. 

Phil May. (C. §^$4ea.) A new variety with large 
bold straight yellow trumpet and paler yellow perianth. 
A strong, sturdy grower for pots and borders, flowering 
in mid-season. 

P. R. Barr. (D. 16 in. § H* 50c doz.) A splendid late- 
flowering Emperor-like variety of sturdy growth and free- 
flowering qualities. The flowers are of good form and 
very large. Trumpet, rich yellow ; perianth, primrose yel- 
low. A valuable variety for anything and recommended 
for flower beds, borders and for naturalising in grass. 

Prince George. (C. 16 in., $2.50 ea.) A very well- 
formed flower, with a long, soft, yellow trumpet and a 
primrose-yellow perianth. Sturdy grower. 

Queen of Holland. ($i ea.) Very large. Both trum- 
pet and perianth sulphur yellow. 

Ranger Johnson. (D. 15 in. §tl$5 ea.) A new late- 
flowering variety. Flower is large, of refined form and 
good substance. Colour a uniform soft yellow. Trumpet 
large and elegantly flanged at the brim. 

Ray Smith. (16 in. § tf 50c ea.) A graceful flower 
of uniform rich yellow colour, the flower large, of good 
substance. The petals gracefully twisted and tapering. 
A free bloomer and a strong grower, with broad deep 
glaucous blue foliage. 

Regina Marguerita. (B. 75c doz.) Very early flower- 
ing, with a deep yellow trumpet and lighter perianth 
with golden stripes in the petals. 



124 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Rev. D. R. Williamson. (§1|$2.5o ea.) A new seed- 
ling with a long, handsome rich yellow trumpet and 
lighter yellow petals. A bold, handsome flower. 

RuGiLOBUS. Syns: Rugilobus lorifoHus. Pseudo-rugilo- 
bus. (B. 15 in. ^ * 50c doz.) A most useful low-priced 
daffodil, not unlike a small Emperor, but earlier. A 
standard variety for cutting, the flowers being of good 
substance and travel well. Trumpet rich yellow, furrowed 
or fluted, perianth sulphur yellow. 

Sabrina. (§ ^$50.00 ea.) A handsome new variety with 
a bold stiff pale yellow trumpet well flanged at the mouth; 
perianth cream colored. 

Santa Maria. (A. 14 in. $1.50 doz.) Very early 
flowering, remarkably distinct and graceful. Perianth 
charmingly twisted, and of great substance. Colouring 
very deep orange yellow. 

Shakespeare. (C. § H 75c ea.) Bold and erect with an 
immense deep golden yellow trumpet, the longest of any 
daffodil. Petals, sulphur yellow, large and broad. 

Shirley Hibberd. (H 50c doz.) Distinct free flowering 
with a much expanded deep yellow trumpet and perianth 
of light yellow. Remains in bloom for seven to eight 
weeks. 

Spread Eagle. (E. 1I$i.50 doz.) A magnificent new 
variety, very late, with large deep rich yellow flowers. 
The petals are gracefully twisted : a flower of much sub- 
stance, therefore well suited for cutting. Strong, vigorous 
grower with dark green foliage. 

Sprightly. (B. §11* $3.50 doz.) Strong free grower 
with brilliant golden-yellow flowers of medium size. 
Trumpet open at the mouth, and prettily frilled. Foliage 
deep blue-green. 

Spurius. Syns: Single Van Sion of the Dutch: telamon- 
tus of English Gardens. (A. §1It35C doz.) Very early 
free flowering. Good sized flowers of soft yellow ; trumpet 
well expanded; perianth hooded. Very useful for forcing, 







Plate XVI 








\ 


-^^BHP^ 


MtPr^^^^^ /•^■l 


m 




W 1 




^^1 
^^^^1 


1 ■ 




k , . ''•■^^i 


L^ 



ALL-YELLOW TRUMPET DAFFODIL 
Glory of Leiden, one of the handsomest of the large trumpet section ; all yellow, 
trumpet rich yellow, perianth pale yellow, sometimes with deeper yellow markings 



LARGE TRUMPET I 25 

garden culture, and naturalising. Popular on account of 
its satisfactory qualities and low price. There are several 
forms of spurius resulting, no doubt, from differing en- 
vironments and selection. Spurius major and spurius 
major Blondin, spurius excelsior, spurius Golden Spur, and 
spurius Henry Irving are improvements. All narcissus 
of spurius blood are impatient of too rich or freshly ma- 
nured soil, and can be killed by kindness. They thrive best 
in gritty loam or turf and in partial shade. 

Thomas Moore. (B. 75c doz.) A deep yellow trumpet 
with clear yellow perianth: said to be similar and better 
than Trumpet Major. 

Tottenham Yellow. (B. § ^ 75c doz.) The outline of 
the flower resembles that of a small Maximus; trumpet 
deep yellow, perianth of lighter tone the petals being 
gracefully twisted, very early and fine for pot culture. 

Tuscan Bonnet. (75c doz.) A pale straw-coloured 
form of Princeps, distinct and beautiful flower of bold out- 
line. 

Van Waveren's Giant. (C. § H $25. ea.) A magnifi- 
cent new variety — probably the largest trumpet daffodil 
yet introduced, bright yellow trumpet with a very large 
open mouth flanged at the brim: perianth light yellow and 
of rather campanulate form, flower of great substance, very 
tall grower ; late. 

Willie Barr. (15 in. § II * $3 doz.) A strong growing 
daffodil producing perfectly shaped flowers of much sub- 
stance: an elegantly brimmed trumpet of deep yellow and 
a campanulate perianth of soft and clear yellow. 

ALL WHITE TRUMPETS 

Descended from the very rare wild white 
forms of Pseudo-Narcissus, particularly the 
Pyrenean types moschatus and pallidus- 



126 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

prsecox. As a class they are more delicate 
in constitution than their self-yellow and bi- 
colour brethren, requiring conditions akin to 
those in which their mountain-loving ances- 
tors thrive ; viz : partial shade, in well under- 
drained soil of gritty loam and decayed leaf 
mould. There are now fully 50 named varie- 
ties, varying in colour from all pure white to 
palest sulphur. 

Albicans, Syns: Silver Trumpet, Sulphur Trumpet, 
Dutch Moschatus. (B. 14 in. § H * 75c doz.) This is a 
large form of the native Spanish moschatus and is some- 
times known as the Large White Spanish daffodil. A 
strong grower. Early and free bloomer, bearing large 
handsome musk-scented flowers with white perianth and 
a long trumpet prettily recurved at the brim. It opens 
straw colour but soon changes to white. 

Alice Knights. (A. 12 in. §11 $8 ea.) A new variety 
and the earliest of all white trumpets. Good substance, 
lasting well whether cut or on the plant. Perianth white, 
trumpet cream white of elegant form with an open mouth 
prettily filled. Good constitution and a free bloomer. 
Award of Merit, R. H. S. 

Apricot. (C. 16 in. §t[75c ea.) A new and remarkably 
beautiful variety with a colouring heretofore unknown 
among narcissus, the long straight trumpet being of a rosy 
apricot hue, though opening creamy buff in strong con- 
trast to the pure white perianth. The flower is of good 
size and form. Delightfully fragrant. Plant healthy, 
vigorous. Several certificates and awards of merit are to 
its credit. 



LARGE TRUMPET I 27 

Atalanta. ($100 ea.) A new seedling with 
broad snow white perianth petals and a long, pure white 
bell-shaped trumpet. 

Avalanche. ($150. ea.) A very elegant new seedling 
with broad petals of pure white, curving towards the 
trumpet which is long and straight and also of pure white. 

Cecilia De Graaff. (D. 20 in. $i ea.) A new seedling 
of interesting form. The medium-sized flower has an 
elegantly spreading channelled trumpet recurved at the 
brim. Colour, creamy-white ; the perianth is also creamy- 
white with a yellowish line running through each petal. 

Cernuus. (A. t H $1 doz.) The Silvery Swan's Neck 
daffodil, so called from the graceful poise of the pendent 
flower. Very distinct. Early flowering. Perianth silvery 
white, trumpet cream white passing to white. The petals 
and trumpet are of the same length. Best when grown 
in shade. 

Cernuus pulcher. (B. 16 in. §1I$2.5o doz.) The 
large Silver White Swan's Neck daffodil. A somewhat 
larger form of the preceding and a little later in flower- 
ing, but classed among the earlies. The gracefully droop- 
ing flower composed of broad and spreading petals of pure 
white and a long, expanding trumpet opening primrose 
but changing to silvery white. A strong grower. 

Colleen Bawn. (A. 15 in. § H t $4 doz.) A gem among 
white daffodils, silvery-white drooping, nodding flowers. 
Gracefully twisted petals. Best when grown in shade 
and grass. 

Cora Plemp. ($1.25 ea.) A new seedling with white 
flowers of light primrose colour, passing to white. 

C. W. Covi^AN. (C. i6 in. §11 $1.50 doz.) A distinct 
short, thick set albino. An elegant flower with white peri- 
anth and a sulphur trumpet passing to white. A strong 
grower and free bloomer. 

Duchess of Con naught. (B. ii in. 75c doz.) A neat 



128 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

habited plant well suited for small beds, etc. — bearing 
dainty flowers of light primrose colour, passing to white. 

Duchess of Normandy. (B. §^[$3 ea.) A new early 
variety with a long white beautifully ribbed trumpet, 
mouth open and flanged. Petals of white, fairly broad, 
slightly shouldered, and twisting. Delicately scented. 

Dr. Hogg. ($3 ea.) Perianth white; trumpet sulphur 
passing to white. First-class certificate. 

Exquisite. ($i ea.) A tall-growing, early-flowering 
albino with sulphur white petals, and a primrose trumpet 
maturing white. 

F. W. BuRBiDGE. ($1 doz.) Strong and vigorous, with 
an elegantly serrated long trumpet of sulphur passing to 
white and a white perianth. 

Grace Darling. (B. 20 in. §1|$i ea.) A strong-grow- 
ing, free-flowering new seedling of great beauty: the petals 
of pure white are gracefully twisting and overlap the 
elegant trumpet of light sulphur maturing white. 

Hatfield Beauty. (C. 21 in. $15 ea.) A bold and 
showy new variety with creamy-white perianth and a light 
canary trumpet well expanded and flanged at the mouth. 

Henri Vilmorin. (C. 13 in. §11 $125. ea.) A magnifi- 
cent new white daffodil that scores high on all points. Re- 
fined texture and form, the perianth of Empress shape 
spreading 4^ inches across: the trumpet is long and of 
good substance. Award of Merit, R. H. S. 

Jenny Woodhouse. ($3 doz.) Best described as a 
white obvallaris or Tenby daffodil. Trumpet beautifully 
imbricated and flanged. A free seeder. A small shapely 
daffodil for the buttonhole. 

Lady Audrey. (D. §1[$25 ea.) A new late-flowering 
variety of great beauty ; perianth white, slightly cam- 
panulate and a straight, bold creamy-white trumpet widen- 
ing at the mouth. Award of Merit, Birmingham. 

Lady of the Snows. (D. $125 ea.) A large and 
beautiful new seedling with a broadly rounded white 



LARGE TRUMPET 1 29 

perianth — and a well-formed, white trumpet well-frilled 
at the brim. 

Lady Grosvenor. (75c doz.) White perianth and sul- 
phur white trumpet. 

Lady Somerset. (C. 12 in. §t[$2 ea.) A new seedling 
of strong growth with long-stemmed pure white flowers. 
Petals long and gracefully twisting; trumpet very long. 

Lady Sybil. (A. 11 in. ll*$i ea.) A new variety with 
flowers of medium size and of uniform pale sulphur colour. 
The open-mouthed short trumpet is prettily flanged. 

L'Innocence. (C. 20 in. $i ea.) A magnificent daffo- 
dil with purest white perianth, and broad straight trumpet 
of sulphur passing to white. 

LiSMORE. (B. 15 in. § H $3 ea.) Strong constitution. 
Perianth white with a faint suggestion of green. Trumpet 
sulphur white. First prize at Truro. 

Loveliness. (D. 14 in. §tl$i25 ea.) A new and highly 
recommended seedling, producing very large flowers. 
Petals broad, smooth, stiff and snowy white. Trumpet of 
elegant form well expanding to the mouth and also white. 
Award of Merit at Birmingham and also at Truro. 

Madame De Graaff. (D. 16 in. §11 $7.50 doz.) This 
magnificent seedling ranks front of all white daffodils. 
The flowers, while unusually large for an albino, are of 
splendid substance and unsurpassed in grace of carriage 
and elegance of form. The fully expanded flower is 
pure white, though in opening the trumpet usually shows 
a tinge of sulphur. A strong grower, free blocmer, and 
equally well suited for pot or garden culture. First- 
class certificate, R. H. S. 

Marchioness of Lorne. (B. 12 in. H * $1 doz.) Not 
unlike Princess Ida, perianth sulphur white, trumpet prim- 
rose and elegantly recurved. 

Matson Vincent. (D. 14 in. §11 $2.50 doz.) Strong- 
growing, late-flowering, with a neat, small, pure white 
flower, the trumpet being well expanded and lobed. 



130 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

MoscHATUS. (A. 6 in. f $4 hu.) A wild sub-species of 
N. Pseudo-Narcissus found in the Pyrenees and especially 
plontiful in places on the Spanish side of these mountains. 
It varies in size, form and colour accordingly as influenced 
by natural hybridisation when growing in proximity to 
other native types. In its purest form it is of dwarf habit 
with rather small flowers. The whitest of all trumpet 
daffodils when fully open, but of a sulphur tinge in the 
bud and expanding stages. It is very early in flowering 
and, like most wild types, quite at home when naturalised; 
a grassy slope facing north being especially congenial. In 
cultivation many selections have been made from "mos- 
chatus" which are catalogued under various names as 
albicans, moschatus of Haworth, etc., and it is the opinion 
of the writer that many if not all varieties of the so-called 
white trumpet daffodils owe their varying degrees of 
trumpet whiteness, directly or indirectly, to the predomi- 
nance of moschatus blood. 

Moschatus of Haworth. (A. 6 in. 1 75c doz.) A 
charming dwarf small-flowering variety, a selection from 
the preceding with charming, purest white flowers. A gem 
for naturalising. 

Mrs. J. Bell Camm. (D. 12 in. * $2 doz.) An exceed- 
ingly handsome late variety of vigorous growth, produc- 
ing large flowers that nod to the ground. Lasting \fe\\ 
when cut. Perianth white, the trumpet sulphur white. 
First-class certificate, R. H. S. {Do not confound this, as 
the writer did at first, ivith Mr. J. Bell Camm, the bi- 
colour.) 

Mrs. Bettridge. (C. 12 in. $15 ea.) Very large flower 
with white, prettily twisted petals and cream-coloured 
trumpet, well expanded, fluted, and flanged at the brim. 

Mrs. Burbidge. A vigorous grower with large flower, 
opening sulphur but passing to white. 

Mrs. Geo. H. Barr. (D. §T|$i25 ea.) A very lovely 
new white daffodil of exquisite form: petals slightly curv- 



LARGE TRUMPET I3I 

ing towards the well-formed open-mouthed trumpet. 
Award of Merit, Birmingham. 

Mrs. Thompson. (B. 14 in. §ll*$i doz.) A hand- 
some extra early strong grower of good shape and sub- 
stance and a free bloomer. Flowers large and pure white, 
the trumpet being elegantly frilled. One of the earliest of 
the moschatus section. 

Mrs. Vincent. (D. 12 in. §l[$2.5o ea.) A lare beauty 
of perfect form and of great substance. Perianth and 
trumpet pure white. Good grower but late. 

Pallidus praecox. (A. 12 in. t 60c doz.) The earliest 
of all white trumpet daffodils and very popular. Varies 
slightly in form and colouring, but usually the perianth 
is pure white and the trumpet pale straw colour. When 
grown in partial shade it comes pure white. Natural- 
ised on moist grassy slopes facing north it is perfection. 
Avoid manure. 

Peter Barr. (C. 16 in. §t$25o ea.) All reports indi- 
cate that this is the most beautiful white tru|npet daffodil 
yet raised. The writer has not grown it nor seen it. It is 
likely that in a few years the increase will be such that 
the price will fall within the reach of ordinary people. 

The English "Gardeners' Chronicle's" description in sub- 
stance is as follows: "Peter Barr is not the only white 
Ajax or large trumpet variety that has been raised, but it 

is certainly the best and much the best In colour the 

flower is described as white, but it must be understood that 
by this is not meant the pure white which is seen in Nar- 
cissus poeticus. No trumpet daffodil is yet so pure, but 
Peter Barr is the very palest sulphur-white, the perianth 
being a shade purer than the trumpet. It is said to have 
been raised from Monarch and Madame De Graaff, and 
will be a fitting memorial to a man whose life has been 
spent in developing and popularising the daffodil." 

The raiser's description reads thus: "The finest white 
trumpet daffodil yet raised. It is of distinct and elegant form 



132 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

having a beautiful pure white shouldered perianth and 
a large handsome trumpet almost pure white. The flower 
is large and bold — of beautiful symmetry and fine sub- 
stance. It is a strong grower and a free bloomer with 
handsome deep bluish green foliage. First-class certifi- 
cate, R. H. S. 

Princess Ida. (B. 14 in. §11 $2 doz.) A distinct strong- 
growing free-blooming early white variety with a silvery 
trumpet edged at the brim with yellow. A good grower 
and charming in pots. 

RowENA. (B. 13 in. §^$3 doz.) A new robust free- 
blooming seedling with spreading star-like petals of snowy 
white and a large trumpet, silvery-white flushed peach, 
expanding to the brim. 

Sir Stafford Northcote. (B. 15 in. ^*$i.5o doz.) A 
strong-growing free-blooming early variety with a silvery- 
white perianth and a long pale sulphur trumpet. Good 
for naturalising and for borders. 

Snowflake. (B. 14 in. §1[$4 doz.) Early flowering 
strong-growing with distinct and handsome flowers holding 
their heads well up. Perianth white, trumpet soft apricot 
passing off white. Certificate of Merit, R. H. S. 

Sulphur Kmc. (C. 12 in. § H $2 ea.) New seedling 
producing in mid-season a well-formed flower of good 
substance. Perianth pale sulphur, long trumpet of soft 
sulphur yellow. 

ToRTUOSUS. (A. 15 in. §^t$2.5o doz.) A popular, 
vigorous, extra early flowering form often called "The 
Swan's Neck Daffodil" from the graceful pendent poise of 
the flowers. Selections have been catalogued under the 
names of Leda, Sarnian Belle, etc., but any distinctiveness 
claimed for these has apparently merged back to the type 
until their "variety names" have become merely synonyms. 
All, in fact, belong to the variable moschatus group. 
Tortuosus being distinguished by its long trumpet of pale 



LARGE TRUMPET 1 33 

sulphur and gracefully twisted petals of pure white. The 
flowers are delightfully musk scented. 

William Goldring. (C. i6 in. § ^ t $i doz-) A droop- 
ing Swan's Neck daffodil of good constitution, with long 
tapering petals of pure white, gracefully curving over the 
primrose tinged white trumpet. 

W. P. MiLNER. Syns: Minnie Warren, nanus albus. (B. 
II in. §t[*$i.25 doz.) Dwarf, of good constitution, es- 
pecially effective for small beds, edgings, naturalising in 
grass and a lovely thing to plant permanently in rock 
work. The dainty little flowers of cowslip fragrance are 
freely produced ; creamy-white out of doors but pure white 
when grown inside. It seeds freely. 

TWO-COLORED TRUMPETS — WHITE WINGED 
OR BI-COLOUR 

Hybrids between the all-yellow and the 
all-white trumpet daffodils. They have 
"white wings," or petals, and yellow trum- 
pets. Healthy vigorous growers, thriving 
in the garden border, in pots, or naturalised. 

Ada Brooke. (D, 15 in. § H 50c doz.) A late free 
blooming variety flowering after Empress and before Gran- 
dis. Trumpet orange yellow, perianth creamy-white. A 
strong grower and valuable for cutting. 

BicoLOR. ($1.50 doz.) The type, dwarf and late flower- 
ing. Rich yellow trumpet and broad pure white petals. 

BicoLOR OF Haworth. (E. 13 in. t $1.50 doz.) Con- 
taining abscissus blood — and like the latter — among the 
latest to bloom. The flowers last into June if grown in 
partial shade. Trumpet rich yellow, perianth pure white. 
In outline the flowers resemble the elegantly formed earlier 
flowering Horsfieldi. 



134 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

Breviflos. ($2.50 hu.) Neat habit, small, early to bloom. 
Increases rapidly. Golden yellow trumpet and sulphury- 
white perianth. 

Cabeceiras. (C. 15 in. t$3 hu.) A Spanish daf- 
fodil, showy and handsome, with large rich yellow 
trumpet frilled at the brim, and a white perianth shading 
to primrose at the base. 

Calpurnia. (D. 15 in. § H $25 ea.) A long straight 
trumpet of soft primrose yellow and bell-formed perianth 
of white. New. 

Cameoens. Syn: Lusitanica. ($3 doz.) An early 
peculiarly formed and distinct bi-colour from Portugal; 
yellow trumpet and sulphur-white perianth. 

Cygnet. (D. §^$100 ea.) New, and a beauty, long 
bold trumpet of canary-yellow. Elegantly reflexed at the 
mouth. Petals white, bold, broad and gracefully twisted. 
Award of Merit, R. H. S. and Birmingham. 

Dainty Maid. ($1.50 ea.) A very dwarf new bi-colour 
of handsome form. 

Dean Herbert. Syn: primulinus. (D. i8 in. $1.50 doz.) 
Of distinct, stiff, erect habit; vigorous grower. Trump- 
et large, rich yellow; perianth primrose changing to sul- 
phur white. 

Duke of Bedford. (B. 22 in. §11 $10 ea.) Exception- 
ally large flowers measuring 4^4 inches from tip to tip of 
the pure white perianth, with a great broad trumpet of 
clear soft yellow measuring z]/^ inches across at the mouth: 
a flower of splendid proportions, form and substance. It 
flowers early, opening even before Horsfieldi and has a 
pleasing fragrance. First-class certificates, Birmingham, 
Manchester, Edinburgh. 

Empress. (C. 20 in. §11* 60c doz.) This and Hofs- 
fieldi rank among the high-class bicolors, both being free, 
early and reliable producers of large well-formed flowers 
of good substance. They thrive under most conditions 
where any sort of daflPodil can be expected to grow — in 



LARGE TRUMPET 1 35 

garden borders, naturalised in grass, in pots, bowls of moss 
and water, or forced in flats for cut flowers in winter. 
These many merits in conjunction with the reasonable price 
of their bulbs render both sorts most popular. Empress 
lesembles Horsfieldi closely, is a little later in blooming, 
perhaps, a little more stiff and robust in growth with not 
quite as white perianth petals — and a rich yellow trumpet. 

E. T. Cook. (14 in. $30 ea.) New. Broad, bold peri- 
anth of white and a rich chrome-yellow trumpet. 

Grandee. Syns: bicolor maximus, grandis. (E. 12 in. 
§l[*40c. doz.) Late flowering; excellent for succession, 
blooming nearly two weeks after Empress and Horsfieldi. 
It is of rather dwarf growth, sturdy and robust, with broad 
foliage. The flowers are beautifully formed, massive and 
of splendid substance. Trumpet large, and long, of rich 
yellow. Perianth wide, round petalled and pure white. 
Planted in shade, it flowers in May. Good cut flower. 

Gwendolen. ($125 ea.) A new bi-colour trumpet of 
large and noble form, white perianth petals and a long, 
straight light canary-yellow trumpet 

Horsfieldi. (B. 14 in. §11* 50c. doz.) It is a pity that 
this grand and popular daffodil could not be popularly 
known as John Horsfield in veneration of the narcissus 
enthusiast — a modest Scotch shoemaker — who produced it. 
It is very early flowering, very free, splendid for forcing, 
and showy in beds and borders. The large flowers have 
a rich yellow trumpet and a broad petalled, well expanded 
perianth of pure white. Unfortunately, in the iater years 
of its life it is getting weaker in constitution, and in some 
places is now becoming diseased. 

HuLDA. (C. 18 in. $25 ea.) New and remarkably hand- 
some. Large and broad petals of pure white and measur- 
ing four inches across, large trumpet of pale yellow. A 
flower of great substance. 

lONE. Trumpet rich yellow, well expanded and beauti- 
fully flanged. Perianth imbricated and straw-yellow. 



136 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Isolde. (D. 20 in. $75 ea.) A handsome, large, new 
variety, five inches from tip to tip of petals, the latter of 
cream colour. Trumpet long, and of soft canary. Award 
of Merit, R. B. S. 

J. B. M. Camm. Syn: Mr. J. Bell Camm. (C. 12 in. 
§^$2 doz.) A distinct dwarf, but strong-growing va- 
riety, almost pure white, but classed as a bi-colour. The 
flowers, in symmetry of form, are perfection, and the chaste 
colouring, pure white perianth and creamy-yellow trumpet 
combine in causing this variety to be known as "The new 
queen of daffodils." First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

John Davidson. (C. 12 in. §^$5 doz.) Strong- 
growing, large-flowering; bearing a beautifully formed 
flower. Trumpet of clear yellow, widely opened at the 
mouth and prettily frilled. Perianth large and broad, 
creamy-white. 

Lena. ($1.50 doz.) Long, yellow trumpet of the best 
form. Primrose perianth. 

Lobularis. (A. 7 in. t 30c. doz.) This native of the 
Netherlands is also known as Dutch nanus. Dwarf and 
lovely for edgings and naturalising in grass. Trumpet, 
yellow ; perianth, sulphur white. 

Madame Plemp. (D. 16 in. § ^ $2.50 doz.) A new late- 
flowering variety of strong growth, producing very large, 
bold, well-formed flowers of great substance. Trumpet of 
immense size and of rich golden-yellow; perianth, white, 
the petals being large and twisting gracefully; one of the 
finest of daffodils as a garden plant. Floral certificate at 
Daffodil Conference. 

Maw's bicolor. (A. t$2.50 hu.) An interesting but 
confused form about which much has been said which was 
true but proved untrue, and vice-versa. This paradoxical 
statement is explained when we understand that Mr. Maw's 
bicolor, "discovered" by him in the Pyrenees, was in re- 
ality "selected" by him. The individuals selected being 
everything claimed for them: superior in constitution, in 



LARGE TRUMPET 1 37 

earliness, in substance, with large golden-yellow trum- 
pets, fine white perianths, etc. Some of the progeny of 
these ''individuals" proved so fine that they were re-named 
nobilis, and others fell so low in the scale of merit that they 
were named variformis, and others again could have been 
correctly named vari-coloured. The fact is that Mr. 
Maw's selections belong to a large variable family, indi- 
genous in many mountainous sections of Southern Europe; 
those near abscissus being the most varied. The writer 
once planted loo bulbs of Maw's bicolor with surprising 
results: flowers of all shapes and colours were produced, 
bi-colours, all yellows and exquisite albinos. Some sur- 
passed the cataloguer's description, but many fell short. 
This type increases rapidly, and like many native sorts is 
especially suited for naturalising. Thrives best in gritty 
loam. 

Michael Foster. (C. 13 in. §11 $1.50 doz.) A large 
and distinct thick-set flower of good quality: trumpet 
rich yellow, perianth sulphur white. First-class certificate. 

Mrs. Buchanan. ($8 ea.) New; distinct and delicate 
shade. Petals, slightly twisted and cream white; trumpet, 
primrose-yellow, with nicely flanged open mouth. 

Mrs. C. W. Earle. (E. 14 in. §11 $5 ea.) A new 
seedling, bearing flowers of great beauty, with broad, pure 
white petals, and elegantly shaped trumpet of citron- 
yellow. 

Mrs. Morland Crosfield. (B. 19 in, § tl $3 ea.) A 
magnificent new variety, blooming as early as or earlier 
than Horsfieldi. A large, showy and beautiful flower with 
long, bold, clear yellow trumpet and large, pure white 
petals. 

Mrs. Walter T. Ware. (C. 16 in. §11 $1.50 doz.) 
Healthy, strong growing, very free flowering and 
early. Flower of perfect shape, with large white perianth 
and a well expanded golden-yellow trumpet. Beautifully 
recurved and frilled at the brim. Where Horsfieldi does 



138 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

not thrive this should be used in its place. Award of 
Merit, R. B. S. 

Oriana. (C. 18 in. §11 $3 ea.) New; perianth white, 
trumpet short and broad of soft canary-yellow. 

Osiris. (D. $100 ea.) A large, late-flowering new 
variety, with a bold, handsome, canary-yellow trumpet, well 
expanded at the mouth and elegantly crinkled ; broad petals 
of creamy-white. 

Pharaoh. (D. $100 ea.) A new, very large-flowered 
seedling, with creamy-white petals and a large, broadly- 
expanded trumpet of canary-yellow. Award of Merit at 
Birmingham. 

Portia. (B. 12 in. ^ * 50c. doz.) Dwarf, early and very 
free-blooming, closely allied to Michael Foster. Trumpet, 
yellow; perianth, soft primrose. Good substance. 

Prince Colobri. ($i ea.) A new seedling of very 
dwarf habit. Trumpet, deep yellow; perianth, white. 

Princeps. (A. 15 in. §1I*$3 hu.) A very good, 
free, early-flowering variety; very popular for cut flowers, 
forcing and naturalising on account of its low price; 
flower of good size though lacking in form and substance. 
Perianth, light sulphur; trumpet, yellow. 

Princeps Maximus. Sym: Giant Princeps, Don Quixote. 
(A. 15 in. § 11* $2.50 hu.) A selection from the preceding 
and said to be a little bigger — ^but so little that were the 
labels removed no one would notice the diflFerence. 

Proserpine. (B. 13 in. t$i-25 doz.) A very pretty 
free-flowering native Spanish daffodil, resembling "cabe- 
ciras," but larger and earlier, with gracefully twisted petals 
of pure white, and a bold golden trumpet with an open 
spreading mouth. 

Pseudo-Narcissus. (B. 9 in. t$i-5o hu.) A species in- 
digenous to several sections of Southwestern Europe and 
England. In the latter country it has long been popu- 
larly known as the ''Garland Flower," and also as the 
"English Lent Lily." Like most native daffodils it is es- 



LARGE TRUMPET 1 39 

pecially suited for naturalising. It varies considerably in 
form and colouring, but the commonest form has a whitish 
perianth and a long yellow trumpet. It is very early in 
flowering and may be used for forcing, pot and garden 
culture. 

Pyramus. (D. $30 ea.) A new late-flowering bi-colour 
of distinct and elegant form. Perianth, creamy, trumpet, 
canary-yellow, long and slightly rolled back at the mouth. 
Award of Merit, R. H. S. 

Queen Christiana. (D. 14 in. $125 ea.) New late- 
flowering, extra good variety of great substance, with 
a large, elegantly formed, bold trumpet of soft lemon 
colour, widely opened at the mouth and beautifully flanged. 
Broad, pure white perianth. Award of Merit and special 
medal for the best trumpet daff^odil in the Show at Bir- 
mingham. 

Queen Isabella. (B. 12 in. § l[$2.5o ea.) A new seed- 
ling with pointed white petals and an elegantly shaped and 
frilled trumpet of cream and canary-yellow. 

Rhea. (D. $3 ea.) New; good form and great sub- 
stance. Perianth, white ; trumpet, golden-yellow. 

ScoTicus. (A. t$2 hu.) The Scotch garland flower. A 
dwarf, extra early flowering native, thriving when 
naturalised in grass or shaded localities, but often dis- 
appointing in the cultivated garden, though it frequently 
forces well. The flower is bold in outline, with whitish 
perianth and rich yellow trumpet, serrated and flanged at 
the brim. 

Sentinel. (§^*$2.5o doz.) A charmingly effective, 
strong-growing bicolor for bedding, the flowers just top- 
ping the foliage. Pure white petals, broad and spreading; 
trumpet, clear yellow, short but well expanded and flanged 
at the mouth. 

Silver Spur. (A. $3 doz.) Newly Introduced and 
said to class among the bicolors as Golden Spur in the all- 



140 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

yellows. As early as Golden Spur. Perianth, nearly 
white; trumpet, long and yellow. 

Tuscan Bicolor. (t§$i.5o doz.) An extra-early 
type from Italy; does well in grass, and excellent for pots. 

Victoria. (B. i8 in. §11 $i doz.) A comparatively 
new variety, bearing immense flowers of ideal form and 
unsurpassed substance. When flowered under glass it is 
even more beautiful than when grown in the open. It 
forces easily and is earlier than any other high-class bi- 
colour. As a pot plant it is most effective, the flowers being 
carried erect on tall, stiff stems, gracefully topping the 
foliage. The petals are of remarkable breadth, creamy 
white out of doors, but snowy white under glass ; the bright 
yellow trumpet is very large and broad, beautifully flanged 
and frilled at the mouth. A variety of great merit, strong 
and healthy in growth, a free bloomer, and especially noted 
for its vanilla-like perfume. Award of Merit, R. H. S. ; 
certificate of merit, R. B. S. 

Weardale Perfection. (D. 24 in. §1I$5 ea.) A new 
seedling, the largest and most beautiful bi-colour. Some 
blooms of this daffodil have been exhibited measuring five 
inches across. Well proportioned, large white petals and 
an immense sulphur trumpet. First-class certificate, R. H. 
S. ; Premier prize as the "Finest Daffodil" at Birmingham; 
Floral certificate at the Daffodil Conference, and numerous 
other awards. 



! 



CHAPTER XI 

The Lesser Trumpet, Hoop Petticoat 
AND Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodils 

The grouping together of the sections 
Humei, Backhousei, Bulbocodium, with cycla- 
mineus, Johnstoni and triandrus is done for 
convenience. 

The varieties of the two first named sec- 
tions often have a character in common in the 
''clipped off" trumpet; but on the other hand 
the true Backhousei type is almost insepar- 
able from the large trumpets except that the 
flower as a whole is smaller. 

NARCISSUS humei 

"Hume's Dog-Eared Daffodils" are gar- 
den hybrids, some people say, between A^. 
Pseudo-Narcissus and A^. montanus, others 
claim between N. incomparahilis and A^. 
Pseudo-Narcissus. But whatever the paren- 
tage of the Humei type may be, the flowers, if 

not very beautiful, have the merit of distinc- 

14X 



142 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

tlveness of form, so precious to the collector of 
varieties. The flowers are nodding and have 
a straight crown or trumpet of "clipped off" 
appearance and about one inch long — with 
loosely-flopping petals about half as long 
again as the crown — from which the 
suggestive name of "dog-ear" originated. All 
of the varieties of this type are admirably 
adapted for beds, borders and naturalising. 

HuMEi ALBrous. (ll*$i doz.) Small flowers with sul- 
phur white perianth petals and a lemon-yellow crown. 

HuMEI CONCOLOR. (C. 15 in. §11 $1.50 doz.) Perianth 
and crown of uniform light yellow. 

HuMEi MONSTROSUS. Syn: Hume's Giant. (B. 12 in. 
§ H 75c doz.) A larger flower with yellow petals changing 
to sulphur colour which overhang the deeper yellow 
straight trumpet. 

The Leek. (D. 19 in. § H * $i ea.) A new variety 
with creamy-white pointed perianth petals overhanging 
the straight rich yellow trumpet ; foliage broad and droop- 
ing. 

NARCISSUS BACKHOUSE! 

A small group with trumpet shaped crowns, 
a connecting link between the large trumpet 
daffodils and the medium-crown or cup types, 
though they are usually classed in the latter 
section. The whole flower* is comparatively 
small for a trumpet daffodil. 



LESSER TRUMPET, ETC. 1 43 

The original type was raised by Mr. W. 
Backhouse In whose honour the group Is 
named. One parent was undoubtedly N. 
Pseudo-Narcissus but It Is disputed whether 
the other was a Tazetta or Incomparabllis 
variety. Backhousel forms have been raised 
by crossing Ajax bicolor with poetlcus. 
They are all suitable for pot culture, garden 
beds, borders and naturalising. 

Backhousei (the type). (C. 17 in. §^$1.50 doz.) A 
distinct hybrid, with a pure yellow, stout trumpet-shaped 
crown, well expanded reflexed petals of a sulphur-yellow ; 
a bold, handsome lasting flower. 

William Wilks. (C. 15 in. § H 50c. doz.) Quickly 
described as an Ajax bicolor, with a shortened trumpet of 
striking orange-yellow. The trumpet is well expanded, 
has a beautifully frilled brim. The perianth petals are 
broad, spread well and are cream-white in colour; excellent 
cut flower; foliage, broad and massive. 

Wolley Dod. (B. 18 in. $2.50 doz.) Large, spreading, 
cream-yellow petals and a short, deep yellow crown; a 
very distinct and excellent form. 

THE HOOP PETTICOAT DAFFODILS 

A small well characterised dwarf group 
with rush-like leaves and flowers having a 
very wide-mouthed trumpet, that In form re- 
calls the old-fashioned crinoline; petals nar- 



144 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

row and of comparative Insignificance. They 
are all varieties of the one species : A^. Corbu- 
laria or Bulbocodium, Indigenous to the south 
of France, Spain, Portugal, Algeria and Mo- 
rocco. Suitable for rockwork and edgings, 
or for grouping In the foreground of the her- 
baceous border; but when forced In pots and 
pans they are truly beautiful. Easily grown 
from seed, which Is freely produced, flower- 
ing In about three years from sowing. Give 
a gritty or sandy, well under-drained loam. 

BULBOCODIUM CITRINUM or CITRINUS. (C. 6 to 8 in. §1[.) 
75c doz.) The large yellow "Hoop Petticoat"; rich golden- 
yellow flowers. 

BULBOCODIUM CITRINUM or CITRINUS. (C. 6 tO 8 in. §11.) 

The large sulphur "Hoop Petticoat", pale lemon yellow 
flowers. 

BULBOCODIUM PRAECOX. (B. 6 in. §11 $1 doz.) The 
early yellow "Hoop Petticoat". In favored locations this 
flowers out-of-doors in February. 

BULBOCODIUM MONOPHYLLUM or MONOPHYLLA. 5>'«; Clusi't. 
(A. 6 in. §11 $1 doz.) The White Hoop Petticoat. Extra 
early and especially adapted for winter flowering in pots, 
it also flourishes in sunny nooks in rockwork or sandy 
soil. The snowy white flowers are of exquisite beauty. 

BULBOCODIUM MINIATURE. (B. 3 in. § U $2.50 doz.) A 
very rare variety growing only 3 in. in height bearing 
diminutive yellow flowers. 



LESSER TRUMPET, ETC. 145 

THE CYCLAMEN FLOWERED DAFFODILS — 

CYCLAMINEUS, JOHNSTONI AND TRIAN- 

DRUS 

These three family groups — A^. Cyclami- 
neus, N. Johnstoni and N, triandrus — are In- 
cluded under the one heading because the 
flowers of all are distinguished by reflexed 
petals that liken them to the flowers of the 
cyclamen. That the three groups are closely 
related Is Indicated by the fact that A^. cycla- 
mineus Is a sub-species of the Portugese form 
of A^. Pseudo-Narcissus, and the typical forms 
of A^. Johnstoni are natural hybrids between 
the latter and A^. triandrus which Is also a 
wild Spanish and Portugese daffodil. The 
proper classification of these varieties has 
been and Is still much discussed and the plac- 
ing of them In one garden group seems to be 
the logical situation. A^. triandrus has rush- 
like leaves. 

Cyclamineus. (A. 6 in. §t1I$i doz.) The yellow 
cyclamen-flowered daffodil. This dwarf, dainty little 
variety was lost to cultivation for nearly 300 years — but 
was rediscovered in Portugal in 1887. It grows only 6 inches 
high, bearing small drooping flowers of rich yellow and as 
shiny as gold. The tubular trumpet, about one inch long, 
is topped with turned-back petals in cyclamen-like forim. 



146 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

It is the earliest of all daffodils to bloom and is worthy 
of a place in every collection for its peculiar and distinctly 
characteristic flowers. It may be grown in pots, for edg- 
ings to beds, or in well-drained pockets of rockwork. It is 
especially valuable for naturalising in shaded places, but it 
must have a moist, well-drained soil. First class certificate 
R. H. S. 

Cyclamineus, var. major. (A. 6 in. §11 $1.25 doz.) 
This is supposed to be a larger flowering form of the pre- 
ceding — but I have found no difference between them. 

JOHNSTONi. A wild type found in Portugal and Spain, 
supposed to be a natural hybrid between some Ajax and 
Triandrus (Angel's tears). But whatever its parentage, 
Johnstoni is a very pretty though diminutive daffodil with 
a funnel-shaped trumpet about one inch long and reflexed 
(turned back) petals which place it among the cyclamen- 
flowered class. In its wild form it varies somewhat in 
shape and size and also colour, the latter ranging from 
cream to lemon-yellow. I do not know that any stock of 
bulbs as collected are offered for sale — but selections from 
the wild are to be had under the names of "Queen of 
Spain" and "Mrs. George Cammell." There are also 
several artificial or garden hybrids including those enume- 
rated below but none yet in commerce, viz: 
Johnstoni Countess Visconti 

" Countess Grey 

" Count Viscounti 

" Cyprian 

" Dorothy Kingsmill 

" Earle Gray 

" Elenor Berkeley 

Johnstoni, "Queen of Spain." (B. 12 in. f §11 $1-25 

doz.) A superior selection from the varied wild forms of 

Johnstoni. A small but beautiful and distinct flower, 

droopingly poised just above the blue- green foliage. Its 



I 



LESSER TRUMPET, ETC. I47 

colour is soft-yellow throughout; the trumpet, short and 
slightly expanded, is topped with perianth petals that turn 
back like those of a cyclamen. It is attractive in garden 
beds, and naturalised in shaded places under trees — its effect 
when in masses is not surpassed by any daffodil in culti- 
vation. It lasts long in bloom and is a good cut flower. 

J. T. Bennett Poe. (15 in. $25 ea.) A beautiful 
new hybrid of robust constitution: perianth petals of cream 
colour; trumpet of canary-yellow — straight and elegantly 
outlined. 

Triandrus. Syn: Ganymedes. These small rush leaved 
daffodils, popularly known as "Angel's tears," are found 
wild in the mountains of Portugal and Spain, where they 
grow usually in the fissures of rocks. The flowers are 
small, with bell-shaped crowns and reflexed petals, remind- 
ing one of cyclamen flowers. For pot culture, several bulbs 
to a pot, they are well adapted, also for rock work and 
naturalising, always thriving in shaded locations and in 
gritty, well drained soil. The varieties are: 

Triandrus albus. (C. 7 in. § H 75c. doz.) The white 
cyclamen-flowered daffodil: creamy white. 

Triandrus calathinus. (C. 7 in. §11 $1 ea.) Flow- 
ers larger and distinct from Albus, and snowy white. 

Triandrus concolor. (C. 7 in. § t[ 50c ea.) Soft yellow 
throughout, beautiful. 

Triandrus pulchellus. (D. 9 in. §1[$2 ea.) Coro- 
na white; petals, primrose; rare and exquisite, slightly 
later, taller and larger than the others. 



CHAPTER XII 

The Medium-Crown Hybrids 

This is a most Important group, adapted 
to the broadest ranges of cultivation and em- 
bracing some of the best varieties for cutting 
and for naturahsing. 

NARCISSUS INCOMPARABILIS 

This Is one of the most important sections 
of the medium-crown group. The type, 
wild over a large area throughout South- 
western Europe, was long considered a 
species, but comparatively recent proofs in- 
cluding artificial crosses between A^^. Pseudo- 
Narcissus and A^. poeticus which reproduced 
the Identical plant and flower, have caused N, 
incomparahilis to be generally recognised as 
a natural hybrid. There are now many varie- 
ties — mostly garden crosses. The distinguish- 
ing characteristic is a cup-shaped crown, one- 
third to three-quarters the length of the 

petals. 

148 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS 1 49 

Practically all the varieties may be de- 
pended upon for any purpose; they make 
charming pot plants and are graceful and un- 
excelled as cut flowers, showy for beds and 
borders and most effective for naturalising. 
The richness of colouring in the cup varies ac- 
cording to season and conditions of soil and 
exposure. 

Amsterdam. ($1.50 hu.) Narrow, white petals; cup, 
large, of an orange cast, stained reddish. 

Artemis. (D. § ^ $i doz.) A strong, tall grower, 
with handsome flowers, broad perianth petals of white; 
expanded yellow cup. 

AuRANTius. Syn: Incomparabilts simplex. (*$idoz.) 
One of the type selections from the native N. incomparabilis 
An early free-flowering variety with sulphur-yellow petals 
and a yellow and orange crown. Splendid for naturalising 
and good for cutting. The double-flowering form of this 
(aurantius plenus) is well known under the catalogue name 
of Golden Phoenix, and the popular name of "Butter and 
Eggs." 

Autocrat. (C. 20 in. * H 50c. doz.) A rich self yellow 
with wide petals and a broadly expanded cup, tinged scarlet 
at the mouth. 

Beauty. (D. 23 in. §11* 75c doz.) One of the best 
varieties in the group. A strong grower and free bloomer, 
producing bold, handsome flowers on long stems. Perianth 
light yellow, with darker yellow bars shading each petal ; 
cup, very large, well expanded, deep, rich yellow, stained 
reddish orange. Unsurpassed as an exhibition variety, and 
should be largely grown as a cut flower. It is also most 



150 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

effective in garden and when naturalised. Award of merit, 
R. H. S. Certificate of merit, R. B. S. 

Bertie. (C. 15 in. ll*$i doz.) A bold, showy flower 
with broad, creamy-white perianth petals, and a deep yel- 
low cup bordered orange. A good cut flower, and fairly 
early. 

Blackwell. (A. l[*$i ea.) A new variety and the 
earliest of all narcissus, excepting the small N. minor and 
N. minimus. It commences to flower by the middle of 
March and holds its beauty for a month. The flower is 
bold and handsome. Perianth petals, cream-yellow; cup 
straight, deeply fluted, rich yellow, stained orange scarlet. 

Canary Queen. (D. 21 in. $i ea.) White petals; 
crown, canary-yellow, edged with apricot. 

Cardinal. (B, 18 in. $i ea.) A new seedling of 
robust growth. Petals, white; crown, large and coloured 
vivid orange clear to the base. 

C. J. Backhouse. (C. 20 in. tit $1.50 doz.) Though 
named in honour of the daffodil enthusiast, this should not be 
confounded with the "Backhousei" section, for this variety 
is a typical incomparabilis and one of the best of the class. 
The flower is most attractive and distinctively coloured : 
crown, much elongated, rich orange-yellow, tinged reddish ; 
petals, yellow, medium size. It prefers cool soil in a half- 
shaded situation. First class certificate, R. H. S. 

Commander. (D. 18 in. §1[*$2 doz.) Very large and 
beautiful flower, not unlike Sir Watkin. JPetals, pale sul- 
phur-yellow; cup, large and broad, rich yellow stained 
orange red. Strong growing, late flowering. Floral cer- 
tificate, Daffodil Conference. 

Constellation. (C. 20 in. §11* $5 doz.) Large and 
beautiful flower, with broad white petals, and a bright 
yellow cup, tinged orange at the mouth and prettily crimped 
at the brim ; a tall, strong grower. 

Cynosure. (C. 18 in. 11* $1.50 hu.) Very satisfactory, 
free-flowering, low-priced variety; extensively grown iox 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS 151 

market flowers and most popular for naturalising in grass. 
The flower, of fair substance, is of first-class size and form. 
Creamy-white perianth and yellow cup, suffused orange. 
Splendid for cutting in quantity. 

Dandy Dick. (B. §t[*$4 ea.) New. A showy, bold 
flower of good substance. Petals, shortened, broad, cream- 
yellow; crown, well expanded, prettily crimped at the brim, 
bright yellow, with a deep showy orange-red margin. 

Doctor Gorman. ($1.50 doz.) Well expanded, pure 
white petals, and a rich primrose, beautifully crimped 
crown. 

Fearless. ($50 ea.) A new, giant incomparabilis, 
with broad, smooth petals of white, and a bold, rich yellow 
crown, prettily fringed at the brim. Award of Merit, 
Birmingham. 

Figaro. ($1.50 hu.) An old but still popular variety, 
producing large flowers with spreading light yellow petals 
and a much expanded cup, yellow, shaded orange. 

Frank Miles. (C. 22 in. § H * 50c. doz.) Distinct, with 
large flowers. Petals, soft yellow, gracefully twiated. The 
cup, clear yellow. A charming flower for cutting, and ex- 
ceedingly effective when grown in masses. 

Gaiety. (E. 16 in. $2.50 ea.) A new variety with long 
tapering perianth petals of soft canary-yellow; crown, 
straight, fluted, brilliant orange. 

George Nicholson. (D. 17 in., $1.50 doz.) Vigorous, 
large, late flowering. Perianth, pure white; cup, clear 
yellow. A flower of good form and unusually lasting sub- 
stance. 

Gipsy Lad. (§^*$2 ea.) A desirable new variety, 
producing bold, showy flowers with broad, well formed 
petals and a large, pure yellow crown, heavily margined 
with fiery orange-red. 

Gloria Mundl (D. 18 in. §^$1 ea.) New. Really 
glorious flowers. Petals, bold, rich, bright yellow ; crown, 
very large, well expanded, rich deep orange, suffused red. 



152 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

Without doubt the best of the yellow incomparabilis type, 
whether for exhibition, for the garden or for cutting. A 
strong, vigorous grower, but late in flowering. First-class 
certificate, R. H. S. and Midland Daffodil Society. 

Goliath. (D. 18 in. *ll$i doz.) A handsome, large, 
late-flowering variety, with broad, white petals and large 
yellow cup. 

GwYTHER. (C. 17 in. ^*$2.50 hu.) Beautiful and 
showy for borders and for cutting. Large, broad yellow 
petals, with a large yellow cup, suffused orange. 

Hogarth. (C. 20 in. $1.50 doz.) A quaint flower, with 
a very large yellow cup, much expanded and gathered; 
petals, yellow and gracefully twisted. 

James Bateman. (D. 22 in. 1I*75C doz.) Late, 
a graceful flower of good substance and best form. Petals 
broad, pure white; cup clear yellow. 

King of the Netherlands. (C. 20 in. ^*75c doz.) 
Distinct and extra good. Petals sulphur coloured; cup 
large ; spreading, yellow stained orange. 

Lady Arnott. ($6 ea.) A beautiful flower similar to 
but larger than C. J. Backhouse; perianth yellow, cup 
yellow, tinged red. 

Lady Margaret Boscawen. ($20 ea.) A new giant 
flowered seedling that might be called a "bi-colour Sir 
Watkin," the flower being of large size with broad, snowy 
white petals and a large, expanded crown of golden yellow. 
First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

Lobster. (B. 18 in. $1 ea.) A new and showy early 
flowering kind with deep yellow petals and an orange 
cup, stained red. 

Louise. (D. 15 in. §^$i ea.) A handsome late flower 
of great substance ; round, broad petals and a bold canary- 
yellow cup, tinged orange-red. The cup is prettily crimped 
at the brim. 

Lucifer. (B. 18 in. ^$2 ea.) A splendid new Irish 
seedling. Early, free flowering and a strong grower. 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS I 53 

Large handsome white petals; cup intense orange-red, 
very striking. First-class certificate, R. H. S. and Midland 
DaflFodil Society. 

LULWORTH. Syn: Lul<wortk Beauty,. (14 in. 50c ea.) 
A real gem when perfect, but some seasons the cup has 
an inclination to split. Perianth pure white, cup orange- 
red, sometimes almost scarlet. First-class certificate, R. H. 
S. 

Lydia. ($2 doz.) New. Elegant flowers borne two to 
four on a stem, the white petals gracefully curved : cup 
cream, shaded orange-red. 

Mable Cowan. (D. 20 in. l[*$i.5o doz.) A profuse 
blooming late sort — a beautiful flower of lasting substance. 
Splendid for cutting. Perianth white; cup broadly mar- 
gined orange-scarlet. Floral certificate, Daffodil Confer- 
ence. 

Magog. (C. iy*75c doz.) Well known among those 
who grow flowers for market. The discriminating col- 
lector however chooses Sir Watkin instead. The flower 
of Magog is of good size and form with cream-yellow 
perianth and sulphur yellow cup. It does well naturali- 
sed in grass. 

Mary Anderson. The single form of Orange Phoenix, 
popularly known as Eggs and Bacon. Flower of medium 
size, perianth pure white, cup deep orange suffused reddish. 

Mars. (B. 18 in. §1[$5 ea.) A new variety of strong, 
tall growth and free-flowering qualities. Broad, white 
petals and large, open, orange-red crown. 

Perfectus. (D. 21 in. § H 50c ea.) A late flower of 
charming symmetry and great substance having well- 
formed stiff white petals, and an expanded cup of canary- 
yellow, slightly suflfused orange. 

Prince of Teck. (D. 18 in. §1I$i doz.) A late flower 
with broad, well-formed, imbricated creamy-white petals 
and a large, expanded yellow cup. 



154 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

Princess Mary. Syn: Princess Mary of Cambridge. 
(C. 16 in. §l[$i doz.) A well-known raid-season variety 
of high merit, producing flowers of perfect form. Petals 
creamy-white, broad and spreading; cup yellow suffused 
reddish-orange, large and expanding. Distinct and beauti- 
ful. First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

Queen Bess. (A. 15 in. § t[ * 75c doz.) The earliest 
to bloom among the incomparabilis. Very popular for 
early forcing; large, broad, white petals; cup lemon- 
yellow, much expanded. 

Queen Catherina. (B. 18 in. §ll*$2.5o doz.) A new, 
early and meritorious variety, a strong grower and free 
bloomer, often producing two flowers on a stem. Reflexed 
petals creamy-yellow, and large bright yellow open cup, 
suffused orange. The cup is prettily crinkled at the mouth. 
Strong foliage, deep blue-green. A valuable bedder. 

Queen Sophia. (C. 18 in. $5 doz.) An old reliabre 
variety thriving best in stiff loamy soil. Petals sulphury 
white; cup yellow, expanded, frilled at the brim and 
stained orange-red. First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

Red Star. (E. 14 in. $5 doz.) New. Extra late in 
flowering and valuable for succession. Like most late 
flowers it surpasses the average in size and substance. 
Petals creamy white, elegantly arched ; long straight cup, 
yellow stained brilliant red. Free flowering and very 
showy. 

Semi-partitus. (D. 17 in. $2 doz.) An old, distinct 
and interesting variety with a pale primrose perianth 
and deeply lobed (imbricated) light yellow cup. 

Sir Watkin. (B. 21 in. § H * 50c doz.) This Welsh 
giant is one of the best, largest and freest bloomtrs of the 
incomparabilis section; it is also very early. When well 
grown the flowers measure five inches across; the wide- 
spreading petals are pale yellow; the cup bright yellow, 
and frequently tinged orange near the mouth; a healthy 
strong grower with long stemmed flowers of good sub- 



I 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS 1 55 

stance. The connoisseur may claim the flower is a little 
gross and coarse — but for large flowers and plenty of them 
it is valuable for cutting, lasting well in water. It 
forces easily, does well in pots, is very showy when massed 
in garden beds and borders, and for naturalising in grass 
it has few equals. It makes large bulbs which multiply 
rapidly from offsets. 

Steadfast. ($5 ea.) A new giant of excellent substance 
and handsome form. Petals white, crown cylindiical, and 
of rich yellow. 

Stella. (C. §11* $2 hu.) A well-known variety, 
popular for forcing, open ground planting and natural- 
ising on account of its low price, being grown by thousands 
for cutting purposes. It is a reliable bloomer, fairly early. 
Charming medium-sized flower, with pure white petals and 
lemon-yellow crown. 

Stella superba. (C. 20 in. §11* 75c doz.) A new 
and splendid introduction, great improvement over Stella, 
the flowers being as large again and of great substance, 
borne on long stout stems, splendid as cut flowers. Large 
spreading clear white petals; cup large, well expanded, 
bright yellow. A free bloomer, strong grower, effective 
bedder, and also does well naturalised. 

Starlight. ($1.25 ea.) One of the most brilliant of 
this section, the bright orange crown contrasting well 
against the white perianth. Very free-blooming, averaging 
three to five flowers on each stem. 

Sweetheart. (C. 15 in. $1.50 ea.) This new variety 
was originally introduced in 1901 as Phyllis, but that 
name having been given to both Leedsii and Tazetta 
varieties the "incomparabilis Phyllis" was withdrawn. It 
produces large and beautiful flowers with white petals and 
a straight canary-yellow crown beautifully fluted and 
flanged at the brim. 

The Rival. (C. i8 in. $3 ea.) New seedling. Sym- 
metrical round form; petals broad and over-lapping, pale 



156 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

canary-yellow. Crown fluted at the brim and edged 
orange-red. 

Titian. (B. 18 in. § 1[*$2 hu.) Early, large and well 
formed, with yellow petals and a yellow cup stained 
orange-red. 

Torch. (1I*$3 ea.) New and very showy. Large 
yellow petals, gracefully twisted: very large crown, yellow 
suffused fiery orange-red. Award of Merit, R. H. S. 

Triumph. ($5 ea.) Flowers almost as larg^ as those 
of Sir Watkin but later and of more perfect form and 
greater substance. Pure white petals; very large deep 
yellow crown. 

Vesuvius. (15 in. ^*$2 doz.) A good grower and 
free bloomer; sulphury-white petals; cup, glowing orange, 
tinged reddish. 

White Wings. (§ ^ $1.50 ea.) Broad round pure white 
petals; crown, clear yellow. Award of Merit, R. H. S. 

Will Scarlett. (t[*$2o ea.) A new and strikingly 
attractive flower. The fiery orange-red colouring of the 
wide-mouthed crinkled cup is remarkable, perianth rather 
weak, creamy white. First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

NARCISSUS NELSONI 



Garden hybrids, the parentage of which 
seems to be Ajax bicolor and A^. poeticus. 
They are aptly described as ''shortened trum- 
pet bi-colours," having white petals and gob- 
let-shaped crowns more than half the length 
of the petals. 

Late flowering and therefore highly prized 
for succession. Suitable for beds and bor- 



Plate XVII 




ALL-WHITE TRUMPET DAFFODIL 
Madame De Graaff, one of the most important of the white trumpet varieties. 
Remarkably sturdy, growing sixteen inches high. On first opening, the trumpet 
is faintly tinged with a shade of primrose 



Plate XVIII 




MEDIUM-CROWN, OR CUP DAFFODIL N. INCOMPARABILIS 
Sir Watkin, a most popular large-flowered variety of the medium-crown group for 
beddmg, for cut flowers and for forcing. Early, very sturdy and taller than the 
average. Perianth rich yellow, cup rich sulphur tinged orange. 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS 1 57 

ders, for naturalising and for pot culture, 3 
to 5 bulbs in a five-inch pot. As cut flowers 
they are especially valuable, lasting a long 
time in water. 

AuRANTius. Syn: Nelson's Orange. (D. 12 In. 50c ea.) 
A distinct flower, one of the best shapes in the sisction; the 
pure white perianth is broad and fiat: the long crown 
bright yellow suffused with orange-red is well expanded 
and fluted. First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

Nelsoni major. (D. 16 in. § 1j * 50c doz.) Late 
flowering variety with a rather long cylindrical golden- 
yellow crown, suffused with orange on first opening. Petals 
pure white. 

Nelsoni minor. (D. 12 in. t$idoz.) The small 
form of Nelsoni Major. Dwarf small, snow-white peri- 
anth; crown deep yellow, the pistil projecting beyond the 
brim; excellent for naturalising. 

Mrs. C. J. Backhouse. (D. 12 in. §11* 7 5c doz.) 
Superb. Massive broad white petals and a clear yellow 
well-expanded crown. First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

Mrs. Knights. (E. 1I*$2 ea.) New seedling, very 
late. Broad white petals and a broad bright yellow crown. 

PuLCHELLUS. (D. 15 in. l[*$i.50 doz.) A beautiful 
drooping flower with imbricated campanulate perianth 
of pure white and a light yellow crown. 

Resolute. (D. 13 in. § II 75c ea.) New. A bold, 
pendulous flower. Perianth broad and of creamy-yel- 
low, long straight crown of clear yellow. A strong grower 
and free bloomer. 

Strong Bow. (D. ii In. §^[$2.50 ea.) A new and 
sturdy variety with broad thick foliage. The flower of 
great substance has broad snowy-white petals, and a 
large well-expanded rich-yellow crown. Award of merit, 
Birmingham; award of merit, R. H. S. 



158 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

William Backhouse. (D. 15 in. §11 $2.50 hu.) A 
good late flower. Petals white and broad: cup clear yel- 
low. First-class certificate. 

NARCISSUS LEEDSII 

Popularly known as the "white star nar- 
cissus," "eucharis-flowered narcissus," and 
"silver-winged narcissus." The predominating 
characteristics are white, spreading, star-like 
perianth, and white or pale sulphur yellow 
cups. As now understood this section com- 
prises not only the typical Leedsii hybrids 
but the white and sulphur cupped incompar- 
abilis and Barrii forms, having white petals. 

Leedsii varieties are produced from cross- 
ing white Ajax varieties with N. poeticus. 
From the first mentioned parent they inherit 
the graceful pendant carriage of the flower, 
and from the latter their constitution and ro- 
bustness. They embrace some of the most 
generally useful varieties. 

The sweetly perfumed flowers are highly 
decorative in vases and bouquets. Grown in 
pots (3 to 5 in a five-inch pot) the Leedsii 
varieties flower well, and in beds and borders 
they are most charming; excellent also when 
naturalised in quantity. 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS I59 

Agnes Harvey. (D. 13 in. §11 $8 ea.) A beautiful 
new late-flowering seedling having some N. triandrus blood 
in it, which probably accounts for the flowers sometimes 
coming three on a stem. Petals pure white and of ex- 
quisite form; cup widely open at the mouth, pure white 
though sometimes flushed with rosy apricot. Award of 
merit, R. H. S. 

Amabilis. (B. 13 in. *1I$2 hu.) Early and very free 
flowering, large pure white spreading petals and a long 
lemon-coloured crown toning off to silvery white. 

Amazon. (§1|$2.5o ea.) A remarkably beautiful 
flower of splendid substance and form. Petals pure white, 
crown lemon-yellow. Robust in growth and free flowering, 
often producing two flowers on a stem. 

Ariadne. (C. 15 in. § If $2.50 ea.) New and of striking 
beauty. Cup ivory white, very large, saucer shaped, 
spreading wide at the mouth and prettily frilled. Perianth 
white. Awards of merit, Birmingham, Truro, Plymouth 
and R. H. S. 

Beatrice. (C. 16 in. §11* $1.50 doz.) One of the 
handsomest and most distinctive flowers in the section. 
Snowy white perianth of graceful campanulate form; cup 
globular flesh colour tinted white. 

Bianca. ($50 ea.) A new seedling of beautiful form. 
Perianth broad and of pure white, the goblet-like, prettily 
fluted crown is bright canary-yellow with a green eye. 

Bridal Veil. (C. § 1[*$2 ea.) New. Gracefully twist- 
ing snowy white petals. Long globular creamy white cup. 
A beautiful drooping flower. 

Bridesmaid. (C. 20 in. §11* $3 doz.) A large and 
beautiful flower with a fairly broad campanulate pure 
white perianth, and a large globular cream white cup 
well-expanded at the brim. 

Constance Pierpont. (B. 22 in. §tf$2.5o doz.) Very 
early. Strong growth. Perianth pure white; cup pale yel- 
low well-expanded at the brim. 



l6o DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Delos. (B. 24 in. §^$2.50 doz.) An early, tall, and 
vigorous grower: gracefully twisted pure white petals; 
cup citron-yellow at the base. It flowers in perfection for 
several weeks. 

Diana. (17 in. $15 ea.) A new giant flov;ered form 
with broad, white, slightly reflexed petals and a large 
expanded crown of soft canary-yellow. Award of merit, 
R. H. S. 

Duchess of Brabant. Syn: Circe. (C. ^*$i.5o hu.) 
A popular free-flowering dwarf variety often grown in 
quantity both for cutting and naturalising. In grass it 
thrives as well as N. poeticus, charming medium-sized 
flowers sometimes borne two or three on a stem. Petals 
white, small canary cup. 

Duchess of Westminster. (D. §11* $1.50 doz.) This 
Queen of the Leedsiis is a comparatively new variety, 
producing immense handsomely formed flowers on strong 
stems. The petals of pure white are very large, spread- 
ing and taper prettily to a point; the long cup on opening 
is canary tinged with orange, but this colouring soon passes 
off to almost white. Excellent for pots, flower beds, bor- 
ders, cutting or naturalising. Late flowering. First-class 
certificate, R. H. S. 

Elaine. (17 in. $3 ea.) New and very beautiful, with 
a broad silvery white perianth and a globular fluted crown 
of white, shaded towards the base with citron-yellow. 
First class certificate R. H. S. 

Enid. (§1[*$io ea.) New, in the way of Mrs. Lang- 
try but a decided improvement. Large snowy white peri- 
anth and long straight sulphury-white crinkled crown. 
Tall. 

Eoster. ($15 ea.) A new seedling, producing large 
flowers of perfect form. Perianth white of much substance. 
Crown globular shaded lemon yellow. Award of merit, 
R. H. S. 

Fairy Queen. (16 in. §1|$2.50 doz.) A remarkably 



Plate XIX 




NARCISSUS BARRII CONSPICUUS 
One of the most beautiful and generally useful varieties of the medium-crown, 
or cup daffodils. Equally suitable for cut flowers or for growing in the garden border 
and when cut lasts longer in water than most other varieties. Late. Yellow peri- 
anth; cur yellow, conspicuously edged with orange-scarlet 



Plate XX 




THE HOOP-PETTICOAT DAFFODILS 

The flowers are practically all trumpet and no petals. Best suited for rockeries 
or for growing in pans in the cool greenhouse. The leaves are rush-like and the 
flowers range from yellow to sulphur white (A^. Bnlbocodiu?n) 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS l6l 

free-flowering strong-growing new variety with a pure 
white perianth and a straight, broadly expanded and 
fluted creamy white cup. 

Gem. (C. §11 $2 doz.) One of the best of the section. 
Petals broad and white as snow, the cup also is pure white. 

Grand Duchess. (B. § 1| * 6oc doz.) A new early with 
white spreading petals and broad white cup at first stained 
rosy orange: A prize cut flower. 

Heroine. ($125 ea.) A new giant in this section 
with large broadly spreading pure white petals and a 
large, broadly expanded and crinkled crown of citron- 
yellow distinctly edged with apricot-orange. 

Hon. Mrs. Barton. (15 in. §$2 doz.) Very distinct 
and handsome. Rather delicate on some soils — but a prize 
where it succeeds. Perianth large and broad, purest white; 
cup expanded, and passes from cream to white. 

Janet Image. (A. 16 in. § tl * $40 ea.) A new giant 
remarkably early. Perianth white, large straight crown 
of lemon-yellow. Award of merit, R. H. S., also at Truro 
and Birmingham. 

Katherine Spurrell. (D. §11* $2 doz.) One of the 
most beautiful, especially as a cut flower. Flower large, 
well formed, with broad overlapping petals pure white, 
and a light lemon-yellow cup. 

Leedsii. (B. 15 in. II* $1.50 hu.) The type; raised by 
a Dr. Leeds, in honour of whom the whole section is named. 
This variety though superseded by better sorts, is still 
popular with many on account of its earliness and free- 
flowering qualities. Silvery white star-like flowers. Very 
fragrant. 

Lady McCalmont. (26 in. §1[$4 ea.) A tall vigor- 
ous-growing Irish variety with large flowers four inches 
across of very lasting quality. Petals twisted and fluted, 
pure white; the broad crimped cup is white, rimmed with 
pale citron. Remains in flower for six wieks. Immense 
bulbs. 



1 62 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Lady Gregory. Another vigorous Irish variety with 
massive leek-like foliage. The flowers, of lasting substance, 
have pure white petals and pale yellow cup, well expanded 
and mitred at the brim. 

Lord Palmerston. Syn: Palmerston. (D §^* 50c 
doz.) A charming late-flowering variety, with broad 
spreading white petals and an elegant canary coloured cup.t 
Delightfully fragrant. 

Lucia. (16 jn. $io ea.) Resembling Katherlne Spur- 
rel but said to be much better, which is high praise in- 
deed. The petals of Lucia measure four inches from tip to 
tip and are of pure white; Crown straight, prettily fluted 
and of citron-yellow. New. 

Madge Matthew. (B. 18 in. §lI*$i.5o doz.) A very 
distinct early flowering variety with deep blue-green 
foliage: large snow white perianth and white cup. Very 
effective when grown in masses in the garden or natural- 
ised. 

Maggie May. Syn: Edmond's White. (D. 22 in. § % 
$15 ea.) New, late flowering and one of the best in the 
section, producing flowers of great size. White perianth, 
and a very large pale citron coloured cup, beautifully frilled 
at the mouth. Strong grower. First-class certificate, R. H. 
S. First-class certificate at Birmingham. 

Mary Magdaline De Graaff. (D. §![*$i doz.) 
Often catalogued as Mary M. or M. Magdaline or M. M. 
De Graaff. A distinct late-flowering, free-blooming 
Leedsii with broad white imbricated petals and a broadly 
expanded cup of cream yellow, often suffused with orange 
cr terra-cotta colour. Usually bears two flowers to a stem., 
Very effective and highly scented. 

Minnie Hume Syn: Queen of Holland. (C. § U * 30c 
doz.) Distinct and beautiful. Large and broad pure 
white petals and a widely expanded pale lemon cup, rim- 
med at first with a deeper shade, but eventually passing 
to pure white. First-class certificate, R. H. S. 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS 1 63 

Miss Weisse. (B. 20 in. $4 doz.) One of the earliest 
of the section. Vigorous grower, with rather pendulous 
flowers, sweetly perfumed. Petals pure white and much 
channelled; cup pale citron. 

Mountain Maid. (C. 15 in. § ^ * $1 ea.) Although 
lecent it is already a great favourite; a flower of graceful 
drooping habit with broad snowy white petals and a pure 
white cup. 

Mrs. Langtry. (D. §^*$2.5o hu.) One of the best. 
Remarkably free, late-flowering variety generally bearing 
several flowers to a stem and two or more flower stems to 
a bulb. The pure white petals are very wide, and the 
large wide-mouthed cup opens canary-yellow but soon 
changes to white. Sometimes, but not always, edged 
distinctly with bright yellow. This lovely narcissus 
should be grown in quantity for its effect in the garden 
border and also where cut flowers are desired. First- 
class certificate, R. H. S. 

NiOBE. (20 in. l[*$i.50 ea.) A distinct drooping flower 
strongly perfumed. Petals of pure white tapering to a 
point and gracefully twisted, and much grooved: cup pale 
citron and beautifully mitred at the brim. 

Peach. (C. 13 in. §1I*$i ea.) This with Salmonetta 
at present comprise the apricot crowned Leedsiis. A new 
break in colouring. Peach produces flowers of remarkably 
good quality and beauty. Perianth pure white and slightly 
shouldered. Crown apricot-orange long, straight, prettily 
fluted. 

Phyllis. ($1.50 ea.) Large pure white petals; straight 
fluted crown of canary-yellow, shaded amber. 

Princess Maude. (B. §^*$i.5o ea.) Has a short, 
broad, rather campanulate white perianth with a large 
globular cream-coloured crown. New. 

Princess of Wales. (D. § 1[ * $1 doz.) A small star- 
like silvery white perianth but a very large cup, spreading 
and elegantly frilled: A late-flowering gem. 



164 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

Salmonetta. (D. 14 in. §1I*$3 ea.) A remarkably 
distinct and beautiful break in the Leedsii family. This, 
with "Peach" form a new branch known as the "Apricot- 
Crowned Leedsiis." Salmonetta has almond shaped clear 
white petals and a well opened prettily fluted cup 
cf orange passing off into peach; a distinct and remark- 
able colouration. Award of Merit, Birmingham. 

SUPERBUS. (75c doz.) White petals drooping over 
the long creamy yellow crown. 

Sylvia. (D. 18 in. $2.50 ea.) A dainty pendant flower 
with gracefully twisted pure white petals and a small 
cup of white flushed with peach. 

The Sisterhood. (D. 20 in. §l[*$2.5o ea.) New; 
vigorous and floriferous, often bearing two and three 
flowers on a stem. A distinct and attractive flower with 
white petals and fluted cup of pale buff, changing to white. 

Una. (D. i8 in. §^*$2.5o ea.) A new and exquisite 
flower of great size; large cream-white petals and long 
straight crown of bright citron. A vigorous grower and 
free late bloomer. 

Undine. ($25 ea.) A remarkably new seedling, with 
a snowy white bell-like perianth and a straight deeply 
fluted crown of creamy-white. 

White Lady. (§11* $1.50 ea.) Perfect form; broad 
white petals and a crinkled pale canary cup. Award of 
merit, R. H. S. 

White Queen. (§lf$25 ea.) Practically a white Sir 
Watkin. A strong sturdy grower: large broad pure white 
petals and a large bold straight cup of pale citron pas- 
sing to white. The brim of the cup is prettily frilled. 
First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

NARCISSUS MONTANUS 

Narcissus montanus, (C. If * $2.50 doz.) 

also known as poculiformis and popularly as 




MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS 1 65 

the "drooping silver star" narcissus, known to 
cultivators for more than 200 years, is a wild 
hybrid, said to be a native of damp Pyrenean 
valleys, and forms another monotypic section. 
Its parentage is supposed to be A^. moschatus 
crossed either with A^. poeticus or A^. duhius 
(a Tazetta variety). The drooping "swan's 
neck" character of moschatus distinguishes 
it from the Leedsii. The flower has a star- 
shaped perianth of pure white and a white 
cup. The flowers, while not large, about two 
and one-half inches from tip to tip of perianth 
petals, are of distinctive form when well 
grown and very interesting. They are fre« 
quently borne two to a stem. Rather difl[icult 
to grow. 

NARCISSUS MACLEAII 
A distinct type also known as Diomedes 
minor and Panza bicolor. (D. 4 in. § H $1.50 
doz.) A very pretty and distinct dwarf- 
growing, small-flov/ering type aptly described 
as a "baby bi-colour." It is an old-time hy- 
brid of unknown origin, received from France 
in 1 8 19. The flower is composed of milk- 
white imbricated petals about three-fourths 
of an inch long, and a bright golden yellow 



i66 



DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 



goblet-shaped crown half an Inch long. 
Though small In all Its parts It Is a healthy, 
vigorous plant, flowering freely, and equally 
valuable whether grown In pots, beds, or 
naturalised. 



NARCISSUS BARRII 

A connecting link between the longer 
Incomparabllls group and the smaller crowned 
poetlcus and Burbldgel types. They are gar- 
den hybrids of various forms but all have a 
yellow and usually orange or reddish rimmed, 
wide-mouthed crown, the depth of which Is 
one-fourth to one-third the length of the 
spreading star-like petals. 

Barrll forms are produced by crossing A^. 
poeticus with an Ajax variety, though a A^. 
poeticus and a N. incomparabilis cross will 
produce flowers of both Barrii and Burbldgel 
forms. 

The flowers of the Barrlls while usually 
smaller than those of Incomparabllls varieties 
are of refined and beautiful form and are usu- 
ally carried *'nose-up." 

Well suited for pot culture — three to five 
bulbs In a pot — while for beds, borders, natur- 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS 1 67 

allsing, and as cut flowers, they are highly 

prized. 

Albatross. (D. 18 in. §^$2 ea.) A late large, spread- 
ing eucharis-like flower with white petals and a prettily 
frilled pale citron yellow cup conspicuously edged with 
orange-red. First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

Bullfinch. (D. $1.50 ea.) New. Broad, creamy 
white petals and a pretty crenulate-formed yellow cup 
deeply rimmed reddish orange. 

Cecily Hill. (D. 19 in. 75c ea.) Late flowering, and very 
beautiful. Stiff white perianth, flushed cream-yellow at the 
base; cup yellow, shaded orange and edged cinnabar-red. 

CoNSPicuus. (D. 20 in. § H * soc doz.) This "queen 
of the chalice cups" is a general favorite and one of the 
best of the section. A strong robust grower and very free, 
late bloomer. The flowers are large, of refined and beauti- 
ful form and splendid substance, lasting in water longer 
than almost any other narcissus. Broad soft yellow petals; 
short wide-mouthed cup of yellow with a distinct rim of 
orange-scarlet. First-class certificate, R. H. S. 

Crown Prince. (C. 20 in. §|f*$2 doz.) Sturdy 
grower, with a large handsome flower. Petals white, large 
yellow cup, heavily stained orange-red. 

Cupid. (E. 18 in. $2.50 doz.) Very late — the last of 
the Barriis to flower and valuable for succession. Perianth 
white; cup yellow, flushed apricot. Very sweetly scented. 

Dorothy E. Wemyss. (E. 22 in. §1[$5 doz.) By some 
considered the best of the Barrii section. A strong-growing 
late-blooming variety. Petals pure white, long and wide; 
Cup canary-yellow, conspicuously edged with orange-red. 
Award of merit, R. H. S., and Floral certificate, Daf- 
fodil Conference. 

Dr. Fell. (A. §11 $1.50 doz.) Extra early flowering 
and better adapted for pot culture and forcing than for 
open-air culture in cold climates as the buds often get 



1 68 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

frosted and fail to expand perfectly, though in mild 
climates it does well. Petals sulphur white, cup soft 
yellow with a pronounced reddish tinge. 

Flora Wilson. (D. 20 in. §^*$i doz.) A very tel- 
ling flower. Perianth pure white. Cup canary deeply 
rimmed orange-red. 

General Murray, (t $1.50 hu.) Perianth creamy- 
white; cup canary, shaded orange. Very free flowering 
and useful for masses and naturalising in grass. 

Glitter. (D. $i ea.) A beautiful new seedling; flower 
of fine substance, rich yellow petals broad and well rounded. 
Crown deeply edged with orange-red. 

Golden Gem. (E. 15 in. ^[$4 hu.) Very late, free 
blooming, prized for succession. Small but showy flowers 
with rich yellow petals and yellow cup edged orange. 

Golden Mary. (D. 1[$2.5o hu.) Dwarf and late. 
Primrose-yellow perianth with golden cup. 

Lady Godiva. Syn\ Barbara Holmes. (D. 20 in. §1[*$2 
doz.) Sport from Barii conspicuus and having white 
petals instead of yellow. Award of merit, R. H. S. 

Maurice Vilmorin. (C. 13 in. §11* $1.50 doz.) 
Beautiful flowers with broad creamy white petals and a 
rather long lemon-yellow cup stained orange-red at the 
brim. 

Miriam Barton. (C. 15 in. ^ * 30c doz.) Popular for 
cutting purposes, beautiful flowers of a distinct delicate 
shade of soft primrose-yellow throughout. 

Mrs. C. Bowley. (D. 20 in. §l[*$i.25 doz.) A very 
good flower, white petals and striking orange-red cup. 
Floral certificate, DaflFodil Conference. 

Mrs. R. C. Notcutt. (D. 15 in. §^*$6 ea.) New 
end extra good. Long, broad, snow-white petals; cup 
buff and orange, prettily crinkled. 

Occident. (14 in. $35 ea.) A new Barrii with flowers 
of perfect form, flat perianth petals of anary-cyellow ; crown 
fiery orange clear to the base. Award of Merits R. H. S. 



I'l.ATE XXI 




NARCISSUS LEEDSII VARIETIES 

Beatrice, star-petalled, with very short crown; and Duchess of Westminster, with 
larger crown and broader petals. Two flowers of the large trumpet daffodil Grace 
Darling are added for comparison. The Leedsii varieties are white forms of the 
incomparabilis and Barrii sections; i. e,, white, with sulphur cups 



CL, 







c^ c3 « 




a-*^-^ 




.u o ■" 








"5 "2 fl 




5-a — 


Q 


"":£-?, 


n 


^^% 


Q 


, and 
n are 
e per 


w 


f---^ 


h-1 


S.uH 


h-) 


£S^ 


CJ 


3.- c' 


^ 


our tr 
house 
oeticti 




Cii 


< 


-cij^ 


> 


;s^^ 


u 


large 
The 
and 




O 


■^jal 


^ 




U 


< 


is a 


m 


Z-5^ 




Xi o 


^ 


U2 0"S 




-O r- >• 








^ Md 




^^^ 




oj u-a 












^'*- >-.';2 






ri ,•- 





ij'i-s a 




G :^ 1- 


w 


^2^-i> 


C/5 


^ C 9 r! 


o 


p or s 
owns 
ncomp 
Nelso 


t4 


u 

^ 


gt::^ 


» 








s 








Pi 


OX: cs 3 


jaj o >^ 


< 


X M ^ a 


> 




2: 

o 


Ction 
tals ; 
ow a 
ies is 




(U O— *J 


hJ 


t« Coj.Si 




Nelsoni 
e white 
umpet y 
usei var 




> >- o 




<U nj *^JZ 




-C-C (U^ 







<iSM 



MEDIUM-CROWN HYBRIDS 1 69 

Orphee. Syn: conspicuus minor, (B. 18 in. § ^ * 30c 
doz.) Useful as an early cut flower. Perianth canary- 
yellow; cup yellow, heavily edged reddish orange. 

Sea Gull. (B. 21 in. §11* $1.50 ea.) Large spreading 
pure white petals and a canary cup edged apricot Very 
beautiful. Early. 

Sensation. (D. 20 in. §11 $3 doz.) Late flowering, 
large pure white petals and canary-yellow cup, heavily 
rimmed with orange scarlet. A beautiful cut flower but 
should be taken when the bud is half open and allowed to 
develop with the stem in water. In this way the brilliant 
colouring is preserved. 

SiDDiNGTON. (D. 18 in. *1[$2 doz.) A remarkably free- 
blooming late variety, generally producing two flowers 
on a stem ; petals yellow ; cup yellow, open, broadly mar- 
gined orange-red. 

NARCISSUS BERNARDI 

Wild Pyrenean hybrids, found wherever 
the wild poetlcus and A'^. abscissus or A^. vari- 
formis are growing together. The flowers 
have spreading white petals twice as long as 
the yellow cup and vary much In form but 
selections from the wild are offered under the 
names and descriptions following. 

Bernardl (type) (D. l[*$i doz.) Late flowering. 
Perianth white. Cup varies in size and colour from yellow 
to orange and sometimes stained scarlet. 

Fire Glow. (1[ 12 in. $2 ea.) Perianth snowy white, 
cup glowing crimson the colour lasting well in the sun. 

H. E. Buxton. (D. 15 in. H * 75c ea.) A specially 
meritorious collected form with white petals and a bril- 
liant orange-scarlet cup. Very beautiful and remarkably 
free blooming. 



CHAPTER XIII 

The Pheasant's Eye and Poet's Hybrid 
Narcissus 

The poet's narcissus with its white petals 
and red-rimmed shallow cup is familiar to 
all of us. It has been very freely used by hy- 
bridisers, and its influence is apparent In many 
of the medium-crowned sections discussed 
in the preceding chapter. It has lately also 
become one parent of the interesting and very 
promising new poetaz hybrids, referred to in 
the following chapter. 

On account of their close resemblance in 
form of cup (which is but very little deeper) , 
the varieties forming the Burbidgei and 
Englehearti sections are grouped together 
with poeticus. 

narcissus poeticus 

The poet's or pheasant's eye narcissus is a 
native of Southern Europe, and especially the 
Mediterranean region. It is distinguished by 

170 



THE pheasant's EYE I7I 

white petals surrounding a small flattened 
saucer-shaped cup not more than one-quar- 
ter the length of the petal, and edged more or 
less conspicuously with carmine. All varie- 
ties and hybrids of A^. poeticus are especially 
suitable for naturalising and for growing in 
garden borders; but for pot culture and win- 
ter forcing the earlier flowering varieties only 
are suitable and even they must be grown cool. 
Heat causes the flowers to "go blind," i. e. 
the sheath does not burst open. 

Almira. Syn: King Edivard VII. (C. 15 in. §ll*$i.50 
doz.) A new and beautiful large flowered poeticus with 
broad rounded snowy white petals of good substance. The 
cup of canary-yellow is broadly rimmed with deep red. 
Of taller growth, equally as early as, and even better for 
forcing than ornatus. 

Angustifolius. Syn: radiflorus. (C. t$i hu.) An 
early flowering form selected from among the wild Pyre- 
nean types, with narrow white perianth petals and orange- 
margined cup. Can be forced into bloom ten days before 
ornatus. It does finely naturalised. 

Cassandra. (D. 17 in. $i ea.) A new, very large 
flowering variety ; tall, vigorous grower ; flowers of good 
substance. Petals broad, wide-spreading, of clear white; 
cup yellow deeply rimmed with dark red. Award of 
Merit, R. H. S. 

Chaucer. (D. *$i ea.) New, early. Well rounded 
large flat white petals, cup edged with bright scarlet. 

Dante. (19 in. $1.50 ea.) A new and beautiful large 
flowered poeticus with broad-petalled perianth of pure 



172 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

■white; cup citron-yellow edged with purplish red. First- 
class certificate, R. H. S. 

Epic. (E. $2 ea.) New, large, and solid flower, broad 
petals of white ; cup flat, deeply edged with blood-crimson ; 
fragrant. 

Glory. (D. 16 in. § 1j $2 ea.) A new variety, having 
enormous flowers; the largest in the poetlcus section, su- 
perior even to poetlcus grandiflorus in size, shape, form, 
and colour. Petals pure white; cup yellow-edged with red. 
First-class certificate, Manchester. 

Grandiflorus. (E. 19 in. §^$2 doz.) The giant 
poet's narcissus. Large flowering vigorous variety twice 
as large as ornatus. Petals pure white; cup very broad, 
yellow suffused with crimson. 

Homer. (D. §1|*$2 ea.) New, large with broad petal- 
led flower similar to Poetarum. First-class certificate. 

Marvel. (F. 15 in. t$i-25 doz.) Late flowering. 
Has a small, distended bladder-like spath. Petals, pure 
white ; cup yellowish, margined with saffron. 

Ornatus. (D. 13 in. §1I*$2 hu.) Early fiee-flower- 
ing, robust-growing variety with large handsome round 
white petalled flowers and yellow cups brimmed with red. 
Blooms three to four weeks earlier than the common 
poetlcus, is good for massing in borders, naturalising in 
grass and for cutting. It forces easily if grown cool. 

Poetarum. (E. 14 in. 1J*$2.5o hu.) Distinct large- 
flowering old favourite sort with broad "paper white" 
petals; cup large orange-scarlet. 

Praecox. Syns: praecox grandiflorus, grandis-praecox. 
(C i8 in. § H * 50c doz.) Earliest flowering of the poetl- 
cus group ; ten days earlier than ornatus and can be 
forced into bloom by Christmas If desired ; blooms out-of- 
doors in April. Flowers large; petals pure white; cup- 
yellow edged with crimson. It Is a free seed bearer. 

Pyrenean poeticus. (D. & E. 18 in. ^*$2.50 hu.) 
Collected forms or their progeny varying much in shape. 




ait: 
£ 



IT. 

w 
u 

S 

pi 
< 
> 






U<-; O 

Oj C tc 

-fee. 




THE PHEASANT'S EYE 1 73 

size and time of flowering. Especially adapted for natural- 
ising; some very beautiful sorts may be selected from 
among them. 

Recurvis. (F. 15 in. *^$i.5o hu.) The common, or 
"Pheasant's Eye" poeticus, popular in gardens and natur- 
alised. Flowers late in May and will not force. Petals 
pure white ; cup saffron yellow margined with deep 
orange-red, very sweet-scented. 

The Bride. (E. $10 ea.) New. Flower of much sub- 
stance. Petals, broad, snowy white ; cup, brilliant red. 

Twin Flower. (D. 16 in. ^*$i.5o doz.) Seedling, in- 
variably bearing two pretty typical poeticus flowers on 
one stem. 

Verbanensis. (F. 8 in. $1 doz.) Dwarf-growing type 
from the Lago Maggiore; flowers late. 

NARCISSUS BIFLORUS 

Properly known as the "Twin-flowered 
poeticus" and In olden times as "Parkinson's 
Primrose Peerless daffodil." The type Is 
usually considered to be a natural hybrid be- 
tween A^. Tazetta and A^. poeticus, as It Is 
often found wild where the two species grow 
In close proximity in France, Italy, and 
through the Tyrol to Switzerland. It has 
been aptly called "the extreme northern form 
of Tazetta as It approaches poeticus." The 
flowers, while of poeticus formation and 
colouring, minus the red brimmed cup, are 
borne Tazetta-like In clusters of two or three 



174 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

— thougH seldom more than two on one stem. 
The exceptionally sweet perfume of A^. bi- 
florus suggests Tazetta influence, though as 
Parkinson says, the fragrance Is less ''stuff- 
ing." The forms vary and though selections 
have been made under cultivation none have, 
we believe, been accepted as sufficiently dis- 
tinct to be called true botanical varieties. 
There Is some difference hortlculturally, how- 
ever, between the following: 

BiFLORUS. (E. 15 in. 1I*$i hu.) The type. Petals, 
cream-white or sometimes light primrose coloured; cup, 
yellow. Good for naturalising and as a cut flower. 

BiFLORUS HYBRiDUS. (E. 18 in. 1j * $2 doz.) A selection 
from collected bulbs, truss many flowered; the flowers 
larger than the type. 

NARCISSUS BURBIDGEI 

Small-cupped hybrids between Incompara- 
bllls and poetlcus, selected from other sec- 
tions and having a close resemblance to A^. po- 
etlcus. The cup In these Burbldgel forms Is 
about one fourth the length of the petals, a 
trifle longer than but not quite so flat as 
In A^. poeticus. Other distinguishing feat- 
ures of Burbldgel are the greater range of 



THE pheasant's EYE 1 75 

colouring In the petals, which run Into yellow, 
and an earlier flowering season. 

The varieties of this section are healthy, 
vigorous growing and produce beautiful flow- 
ers. They are well suited for either pot 
culture, beds, borders or naturalising. The 
flowers are particularly attractive when cut 
but should be cut when the the buds are but 
half expanded, for like all red or ruddy rim- 
med narcissus, the vivid colouring fades with 
age or when long exposed to strong sun. The 
best flowers are produced on good, fairly 
strong, moist loam. 

Agnes Barr. (C. 16 in. 1[*$2.50 hu.) An exquisite 
flower; petals, creamy white; cup, yellow. 

BuRBiDGEi. (C. 13 in. §tI*$i.5o hu.) The type. 
Early flowering. Petals, clear white; cup, light yellow, 
rimmed with reddish-orange. 

Baroness Heath. (C. 18 in. lI*$2.5o hu.) Very dis- 
tinct. Flowers drooping; petals, yellow: cup, yellow tinged 
with orange deepening to red at the brim. Foliage, deep 
blue-green. 

Beacon. (C. $5 ea.) Beautiful new variety. Petals, 
circular shaped, cream-white; cup, fiery-red. First-class 
certificate, R. H. S. 

Beatrice Haseltine. (E. 15 in. $2 doz.) Beautiful 
late bloomer. Petals, creamy-white; cup, flat, canary 
coloured, edged with orange-scarlet. 

Bernice. (C. 8 in. $2 ea.) Petals, pointed, creamy- 
white; cup, funnel-shaped, deep blood-red to the base. 



176 DAFFODILS— NARCISSUS 

Narrow, grass-like foliage. Thrives best in a sheltered 
situation which faces north. 

Blood Orange. (§t!$2 ea.) New and very showy. 
Petals, broad, cream colored; cup, brilliant orange-red. 

Cherry Ripe. (D. 13 in. $2 ea.) A new and attractive 
variety. Petals, snowy white; cup, vivid orange-scarlet, 
broadly edged with bright red. 

Crown Princess. (C. 15 in. ^*$s doz.) Very beauti- 
ful form. Petals, sulphury-yellow shading to pure white; 
cup, canary, edged rich orange. 

Ellen Barr. (C. 18 in. § H * 50c doz.) Petals, broad, 
snow-white; cup, citron, stained orange-scarlet. Very 
effective when grown in masses. 

Falstaff. (C. 16 in. § H *$2.5o hu.) Petals, pure white; 
cup, lemon coloured with orange rim. Flowers of splendid 
form, excellent for cutting, and when massed the snowy- 
white effect is very beautiful. 

Firebrand. (C. 17 in. ^*$2 ea.) New variety, remark- 
able for the brilliant colouring of the prettily fluted cup, 
which is an intense fiery-red. Petals, cream-white shading 
to lemon at the base. 

Frailty. (C.14 in. t[*$2.5o ea.) Charmingly quaint, 
pendent flower with gracefully twisted, snow-white petals; 
cup, large, open, yellow, edged with bright-red. 

Harold Hodge. (C. 18 in. § ^ * $i ea.) New. Petals, 
white; cup, small, yellow edged, red. 

Hyacinth. ($1.50 ea.) Petals, snowy-white; cup, 
spreading, lemon-yellow. 

John Bain. (B. 15 in. § II * 50c doz.) An old, reliable, 
favourite. The flower is large and of good substance. Petals 
white; cup, small, citron-yellow. It blooms early and 
freely; forces easily; is a good cut flower, whether grown 
under glass or out of doors; very effective for massing in 
beds, borders and naturalising. 

Lady Isabel. ($2 ea.) Stiff, erect habit, with highly 
colored flower. Petals, reflexed, creamy-white; cup, saucer 



THE PHEASANT'S EYE 1 77 

shaped, light yellow, deeply edged and shaded with in- 
tense scarlet. 

Little Dirk. (D. 17 in., 50c. doz.) A small-flowered 
variety. Petals, neat, cowslip yellow; cup, bright orange- 
red. 

Little Dorrit. (C. 21 in. §^*$3 ea.) New A small 
flower. Petals, white; cup, small, flat orange-red. 

Mercedes. (D. ^*$i.5o ea.) A drooping flower with 
twisted snow-white petals; cup, spreading, yellow edged, 
bright red. 

Mrs. Krelage. (E. 75c. doz.) A very late blooming 
variety (May). Petals, reflexed, white; cup, broad, flat, 
serrated, citron-yellow flushed with orange. 

Oriflamme. (§11 $4 ea.) Showy, new variety. Petals, 
creamy-white; cup, fiery-scarlet. Award of Merit, R. H. S. 
and at Birmingham. 

Ovid. (C. $1.50 doz.) Petals, opening, yellow fading 
to white; cup, saucer shaped, three-fourths of an inch 
across, beautifully crimped, rich yellow, heavily stained 
with orange. 

Princess Louise. A beautiful flower with large white 
perianth and widely expanded cup of rich orange, passing 
oflF apricot. 

Prometheus. ($6 ea.) The flowers, sometimes borne 
in pairs. Petals, rich, satiny-yellow, paling with age; cup, 
saucer-shaped, crimped, rich scarlet almost one inch across; 
foliage, broad and massive. 

Rosalind. (E. 13 in. § |y*$2 ea.) A new and handsome, 
late variety with pendent flowers. Petals, pure white, broad 
and inclined to reflex; cup, bright yellow, deeply rimmed 
with fiery-scarlet. A strong grower. 

Scarlet Eye. ($5 ea.) A fine new Burbidgei. Petals 
pure white and of good substance; cup of vivid orange- 
scarlet. 

Scarletta. ($10 ea.) A showy, new seedling with 
cream-colored perianth, and a fluted cup of glowing scarlet. 



178 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Sceptre. (D. 14 in. §11 $10 ea.) New and beautiful 
variety. Petals, cream-yellow; cup, prettily fluted and 
of bright reddish orange. 

St. John's Beauty. (C. 20 in. II *$i.5o doz.) A large, 
loose but showy, flower; petals, chanelled, sulphur-white; 
cup, beautifully frilled, yellow, edged with orange-red. 

The Pet. (E. 14 in. $1.50 doz.) A dwarf, erect 
grower with a prim little flower of perfect form. Petals, 
firm and almost pure white; cup, citron-yellow with a 
protruding pistil. 

Vanessa. (C. 16 in. 1[*$2.5o hu.) Small, compact, 
symmetrical and attractive flowers. Petals, pale-yellow; 
cup, small, flatly expanded, orange tinged reddish. Very 
fragrant. Sometimes called "yellow poeticus." 

Vivid. (D. 15 in. $6 ea.) New and very showy flower. 
Petals ivory-white; cup, large, saucer-shaped, fiery orange- 
red, the colour holding well. A strong, free grower. 

NARCISSUS ENGLEHEARTII 

Hybrids, in which the poeticus influence 
►predominates ; practically Burbidgei forms 
with more fluted flat cups that may be likened 
to ruflled discs. Some of the varieties indeed 
have been plucked from among the Burbid- 
geis; others are direct crosses by Rev. G. 
Engleheart. 

AsTRADENTE. ($2$ 63.) A ncw, large and beautiful 
flower, with a white perianth and a very large flat crown 
of reddish-orange edged with bright red. Award of Merit, 
R. H. S. 



THE PHEASANT'S EYE 1 79 

Cresset. (C. 15 in. $12 ea.) New flower of perfect form 
with large, broad, round, white petals, and a flat golden 
cup heavily edged with vivid scarlet. 

Concord. (15 in. $25 ea.) A grand new variety of 
perfect form, with broad, rounded perianth petals of deep 
canary-yellow; crown, large, widely expanded at the 
mouth, and of a deep golden-yellow, heavily edged with 
fiery orange-red. 

Egret. (D. § ^[$25 ea.) Finely formed, broad petals of 
pure white, and a very large, flattened, fluted cup over one 
inch in diameter of lemon-yellow, shaded and margined 
with gold. Award of Merit, Birmingham. 

Gold Eye. (§ 1I$3 ea.) New and very excellent variety. 
Petals, pure white, and large disk-like crown prettily fluted 
and margined with orange-red. Award of Merit, Birming- 
ham. 

Incognito. (C. §^i6 in. $30 ea.) A new, large and 
very durable flower, with flat, white petals and flattened, 
frilled crown of bright yellow, margined with apricot- 
orange. 

Royal Star. ($10 ea.) A magnificent new Engle- 
heartii, with large, showy, lasting flowers, four and a half 
inches across. Perianth, creamy-yellow maturing white; 
crown, large, flat and fluted orange-yellow changing to fiery 
orange-red. A tall, robust grower. 

Polestar. (D. §11 $3 ea.) New and large, late-flowering 
variety. Petals white, four inches across; cup, large, flat 
and prettily fluted ; canary-yellow. 

Sequin. (D. 12 in. §1[*$3 doz.) A very distinct and 
beautiful new seedling, with snowy-white petals and a very 
large golden cup, flattened against the petals. 

Thisbe. (18 in. §t[*$i.5o ea.) A very beautiful flower 
with slightly reflexed, white petals; cup large, spreading, 
flattened against the petals; canary-yellow margined with 
orange-red. 



CHAPTER XIV 

The Sweet Scented Jonquils and Cam- 
pernelles 

Regarded from a garden standpoint, the 
jonquils form a characteristic group. They 
are all cluster-flowered, deep yellow colour, 
most dellclously scented and of a slender 
growth with round, rush-like foliage. In 
some of the hybrid forms that are Included In 
this present grouping the flowers may be 
borne as few as two on a stem. They show a 
remarkable* range of variation. 

Narcissus Jonquilla. (E. 14 in. §^$2 hu.) The true, 
sweet-scented, single jonquil. A species indigenous to 
sections in Southern Europe, varying in habit according to 
environment, and in consequence several typical selections 
from the wild are known as N. Jonquilla, var. minor, siel- 
lario, etc. But as "collected bulbs" are, I believe, no longer 
marketed, and as the bulb growers' "types" are fairly well 
selected, I will go no further into their delicate 
distinctions. The single jonquil is well known and highly 
prized as a cut flower for growing in pots, and it does well 
out of doors if planted in a protected, warm, sunny situa- 
tion, in well-drained or raised beds of rich soil. It blooms 
late in the season. The deliciously fragrant, rich yellow 

180 



SWEET-SCENTED JONQUILS l8l 

small flowers are usually borne in pairs though sometimes 
in clusters of as many as six. There is a double form also. 

N. jUNCiFOLius. The Baby Jonquil. (D. 4 in. § H $2.50 
hu.) Very much like the preceding but smaller; indeed it 
is the smallest narcissus known, with little buttercup- 
like flowers, only three-fourths of an inch across from tip 
to tip of the spreading petals. The cup is usually widely 
expanded and often perfectly flat. Colour, rich yellow. 
Delicately perfumed. It does best when grown in pots or 
the cold-fame. Though it thrives in gritty soil, in well- 
drained pockets in rock work or similar situations, it also 
makes an excellent edging plant when in favourable lo- 
cations. 

N. ODORUS. Campernelle Jonquil. A rush-leaved, 
cluster-flowered group of narcissus, more robust in growth 
and bearing larger flowers than A^. Jonquilla, with wider 
petals and more upright crown, and generally known as the 
"giant jonquil." There are several good forms offered under 
different varietal names, the most important of which are 
described as below. All are suited for pot culture — six 
bulbs to a five-inch pot — borders and naturalising. 

N. ODORUS INTERJECTUS. (B. 1 8 in. § Ij * $2 hu.) This 
is the t}'pe known as "Campernelle Jonquil," and though 
found wild in some parts of southern Europe, is now con- 
sidered to be one of nature's hybrids. Probably, a cross 
between A'^. Jonquilla and A''. Pseudo-Narcissus. It is early 
in blooming, producing two or more full, yellow, fragrant 
flowers on each stem. 

N. ODORUS RUGULOSUS. Campcrnellc major. (B. i8 in. 
tinct form of dwarfer growth than the type, a little later 
and with a longer, narrower cap of darker yellow ; delight- 
fully fragrant, rich yellow flowers. It thrives best in shade, 
or in grass on a slope ground facing north. 

A''. ODORUS RUGULOSUS. Campernelle major. (B. i8 in. 
§^*$2 hu.) More robust and larger flowered than the 
other forms, and known as the "Improved Campernelle," 



1 8 2 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

"Giant Jonquil," etc. Fragrant, rich yellow flowers, often 
three to a stem, with broader, stouter petals, and a straight, 
wrinkled cup. 

N. ODORUS RUGULOSUS MAxiMUS. ($ioo ca.) A ncw 
large flowering form. The flower is twice as large as in 
rugulosus, and of handsome shape with dark golden petals, 
which are remarkably broad ; prominent, straight, chanelled 
cup, very fragrant. First-class certificate, Birmingham. 

N. ODORUS CALATHINA. ($1.50 doz.) The "many- 
flowered Campernelle," bearing three to five yellow, sweet- 
scented flowers to a stem. 

N. GRACILIS. Syn: Helene. (E. 14 in. ^ * 50c doz.) An 
old and presumably wild hybrid between N. Jonquilla {or 
N. juncifolius) and a N. Tazetta variety. Rush-leaved 
and bearing clusters of three to five flowers on a stem. The 
deliciously fragrant flowers open rich yellow, but as they 
age change to pale sulphur. It is the latest of the rush- 
leaved varieties to bloom, and is not only prized for keeping 
up the succession, but it is a very graceful garden plant 
and also does well in pots. 

N. GRACILIS TENUiOR. The Stiver jonquil. (D. 9 In. 
$1 doz.) Smaller flowers, more slender in growth and of 
paler colour than the preceding. A choice dwarf type, with 
sweet-scented flowers; the petals being silvery-white, and 
the cup yellow. It bears several flowers on a stem; late 
flowering. 



Plate XXVII 




N. TRIDYMUS, VAR. CLOTH OF GOLD 

The long crown, hardy, yellow, cluster-flowered narcissus. A', tridymiis are 
hybrids between a trumpet daffodil and .V. Tazetta. The flowers resemble' those of 
a small Nclsoni variety, but are borne in clusters 



fe ^ M 




I—, o u<0 



CHAPTER XV 

The Tender Cluster-Flowered Nar- 
cissus 

The polyanthus narcissus (A^. Tazetta) 
and its many varieties form a large family 
of closely resembling types, popularly called 
**sweet-scented cluster-flowered narcissus," 
the flowers being borne in many flowered 
clusters. 

The history of this ancient race extends 
to the misty eras of legend and mythology. 
At the present time descendents of the varied 
types are found growing wild over a wide 
area neighboring the Mediterranean from 
Spain to Asia Minor, and some few even as 
far east as India, China, and Japan, and 
westward others have become naturalised and 
typified in the Canary and Scilly Isles, and 
even in Bermuda. 

Being natives of a mild climate, the Tazet- 
tas cannot withstand the rigours of cold lati- 
tudes and are not to be depended upon as 
garden plants north of the freezing belt. The 

183 



I 84 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

Hollanders have produced numerous beauti- 
ful hybrids, some of which are hardier than 
the typical southern forms and I have suc- 
cessfully grown and flowered many of the 
Dutch varieties in my garden in the vicinity 
of New York City. Yet, like tea roses, while 
they may live through two or three winters»> 
with careful protection, they eventually get 
killed by frost. They require the winter pro- 
tection of a cold-frame. In lieu of hardiness 
the polyanthus narcissus compensates its 
grower in northern climes by its accommoda- 
ting adaptability to being grown in the house, 
in pots, pans, or flats, and some of them even 
in bowls of water and gravel without soil. 
Under such artificial culture they grow with 
luxuriance and flower freely during the winter 
and early spring months. 

In our southern states and in all favoured 
locations where the bulbs do not freeze, they 
flourish and increase. A cream-coloured vari- 
ety that has escaped from cultivation in the 
Bermudas is known locally as "Bermuda Jon- 
quil," the thriftiness of which, I think is due 
not so much to rich soil as to deep sub-soil 
of notable porosity, it being a disintegrated 



TENDER CLUSTER-FLOWERED 1 85 

coral rock through which surplus water rap- 
idly drains away. If we who garden in the 
north over water-holding clay sub-soil would 
make it less retentive, greater success would 
crown our efforts in growing not only narcis- 
sus and daffodils, but all other garden plants. 

ALL YELLOW VARIETIES 

Adonia. (C. $1.50 doz.) A medium, early variety. 
Large, well-formed flowers; canary-yellow with deep 
orange cup. 

Bathurst. (D. $i doz.) A distinct and beautiful 
dwarf, compact-growing, late variety, bearing very large 
flowers of clear, light yellow with dark-orange cups. 

Charles Dickens. (D. $i doz.) Large flowers, prim- 
rose-yellow, with orange cup. Late. 

Grand Primo Citroniere. Syn: "Yelloiu Primo." (60c 
doz.) A selection from the bi-coloured Grand Primo — so 
popular for cutting. This yellow form bears the same large 
trusses of handsome, clear, light yellow flowers with dark 
citron-coloured cups. 

Grand Soleil d'or. (A. $1 doz.) A distinct, very 
early variety, producing large clusters of rich yellow 
flowers having deep-orange — almost red-orange — cups. It 
is one of the best of this colour for early forcing and very 
popular with the Scilly Islanders, who grow it extensively 
for cut flowers for market. 

Jaune Supreme. (C. $1.50 doz.)' Medium early, bear- 
ing fine trusses of large, clear yellow flowers with deeper 
yellow, or orange, cups. A vigorous grower, and does 
particularly well when grown in pots. 

Lord Canning. ($i doz.) Profuse bloomer; rich 
yellow, with orange cup. 



i86 



DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 



Queen of Yellows. ($2 doz.) A new and good variety, 
bearing immense clusters of large flowers, rich yellow with 
golden cup. 

Sir Isaac Newton. Syn: Neivton. (C. $1 doz.) A very 
free, medium early; pure yellow, with orange cups. 

Additional varieties of yellow petalled 
polyanthus narcissus catalogued in Europe, 
but with which I have had no experience, are : 



Adelphi. 

Apollo. 

Aurea Floribunda. 

Daybreak. 

Don Carlos. 

Fleur Parfaite. 

Formosa. 

Franklin. 

Gen'l Gordon. 

Gladstone. 

Golden Era. 

Goldfinch. 

Heroine. 



Illustre Soliel. 

Imperator. 

Isabella. 

La Belle Comtesse. 

La Plus Belle Jaune. 

Masterpiece. 

Mercurius. 

Phyllis. 

Prince of Wales. 

Soleil Brilliant. 

Surprise. 

Wilhelm III. 



BI-COLOUR VARIETIES 

Bazelman major. Syn: Treivianus Major. (B. $2 
doz.) A magnificent early flowering variety, of robust 
growth bearing three to six trusses of extra large, 
round flowers. Pure white petals and rich orange-yellow 
cups. It is one of the best varieties of polyanthus nar- 
cissus in cultivation. It does well in pots and forces 
splendidly. 

Chinese Sacred. Syn: Jos floiver, Grand Emperor of 
China, Good luck floiver, etc. ($1.25 doz.) This Chinese 
narcissus, a typified form of the Tazetta, is of world- 
wide popularity, being prized for its marvellously rapid 



TENDER CLUSTER-FLOWERED 1 87 

growth and its abundant silvery-white, yellow-cupped 
flowers, which are produced in from forty to sixty days 
after planting. It is usually grown in bowls of water. 
They grow and flower in the sunny window of any living 
room, doing their best in a temperature not exceeding sixty 
degrees. The moist atmosphere of a kitchen or laundry 
suits them perfectly. Then their flowers never "blast" or 
dry up in bud form. 

Constantinople. Syn: Double Roman. (B. $2 hu.) 
Very early and free flowering. Extensively forced by flor- 
ists for winter cut flowers. Also does well in pots. The 
petals are white; the yellow cup usually comes semi-double 
or double. 

Gloriosus. Syn: Gloriosa super ba. (A. 75c doz.) An 
excellent early, free-flowering sort, producing large trusses 
of pure white petalled flowers, enlivened with orange- 
scarlet cups. It is one of the best of this colour for early 
forcing. 

Grand Monarque. (D. 75c. doz.) Splendid trusses of 
white flowers, with lemon-yellow cups. A vigorous grower, 
doing well in pots, and also may be flowered in bowls of 
water. 

Grand Primo. (75c doz.) Masses of large white 
flowers having citron yellow cups. Extensively grown for 
cut flowers. 

Groot Voorst. (60c doz.) A popular old variety, bear- 
ing large white flowers with light yellow cups. 

Her Majesty. (D. $1.50 doz.) One of the largest 
flowering and best varieties in this section. The broad 
round petals are pure white, the cups deep golden yellow. 

Maestro. (C. $2 doz.) A good dwarf, very free 
flowering sort, with extra large flowers. Petals white and 
dark orange cups which often come double or semi-double. 
There is no better polyanthus variety for pot culture. 

Mont Cenis. (B. 75c doz.) Very early, and one of 
the freest flowering varieties, often producing four spikes 



i88 



DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 



from one bulb, and the spikes sometimes carrying from 
eighteen to twenty-two flowers each. Petals pure white; 
cups rich yellow. 

Prince Metternich. Syn: Prinz von Metternich. 
Good for cutting, having exceptionally long stems carrying 
broad white petalled flowers with rich golden yellow 
cups. 

Queen of the Netherlands. (A. $1.50 doz.) Extra 
early large flowering. Resembling Bazelman Major. Pure 
white with rich yellow cups. 

States General. Syn: Staten Generaal. (B. 75c doz.) 
A well-known old early variety with creamy white petals 
and orange cups. A free seeder, crossing readily with 
some of the Ajax varieties. 

Other varieties of the two coloured (white petalled, yel- 
low cupped) polyanthus narcissus — offered by the trade — 
but not tested by the writer are; 



Aurora 

Bazelman Minor 

Bouquet Parfaite 

British Queen 

Distinction 

Duchess of Albany 

Empress of India 

Grand Sultana 

Insulinde 

La Belle Normandie 

Lacticolor 



La Noblesse 

Laura 

Louis le Grand 

Luna 

President Harrison 

Prince of Narcissus 

Princess of Wales 

Queen of Narcissus 

Queen Victoria 

Sir Walter Scott 

Volume Laurius 



La Jolie 

ALL WHITE POLYANTHUS 
Varieties having white petals and white or 

cream-coloured cups: 

Paper White. Syn: Totus albus, dub'ius, papyraceus. 
(A. $2 hu.) This and its improved form Grandiflora are 



Plate XXIX 




A POLYANTHUS NARCISSUS, N. TAZETTA 
These cluster-flowered narcissus are not hardy except in the South and are excellent 
for forcing under glass. This variety, Bazelman major, is one of the best for cut 
flowers; white with deep orange crown 



PLi 




TENDER CLUSTER-FLOWERED 1 89 

the most important and extensively forced of all varieties 
of polyanthus narcissus for cut flowers in winter. Snow- 
white star-like blossoms borne in good sized trusses on long 
strong stems. The bulbs are mostly grown in Southern 
France, whence they are exported by millions annually; of 
easy culture and vigorous growth, often being brought into 
bloom long before Christmas. May also be grown and 
flowered successfully in bowls of water with moss or peb- 
bles. 

Paper White Grandiflora. Syns: Paper JVhite mul- 
tiftora, Snoivflake. (A. $2.50 hu.) This improved type 
is rapidly supplanting the preceding from which it is a 
selection. It possesses all of the good qualities of its pre- 
decessor with the added merits of being more vigorous and 
producing larger trusses of larger individual flowers which 
are also of somewhat more durable substance. 

SciLLY White. (B. $3 hu.) Early, dwarf, sturdy 
growing. A most profuse flowered variety, grown by 
acres in the Scilly Isles. It forces easily. Flowers pure white, 
with creamy cups rather small, but borne in good-sized 
trusses. 

White Pearl. ($i doz.) A distinct and excellent var- 
iety bearing medium-sized pure wliite flowers with almost 
white cups. 

White Perfection. (E. $1.50 doz.) Late flowering, 
bearing large trusses of large pure white petalled, cream 
cupped flowers. Growth dwarf, and sturdy. 



THE "intermediate" CLUSTER-FLOWERED 
NARCISSUS 



These natural hybrids and their varieties 
— ^known as the Intermediate and orlentalls 
sections — so closely resemble in many re- 



190 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

spects the polyanthus narcissus that It Is taken 
for granted that some member of the N, 
Tazetta Is one of the progenitors, but the 
opposite parent is merely conjectured. 

Both the Intermedlus and orlentalls types 
bear their flowers In bouquet-like clusters and 
are as sweetly fragrant as the Tazettas and 
imitate them in not being hardy enough to 
be always grown successfully In Northern 
gardens, though all thrive in temperate and 
southern climates and are amenable to pot 
culture and forcing Into flower during the 
winter In greenhouse, frame or window. 

Intermedius. Syns: intermedins minor, ienuifolius 
minor. (50c doz.) A supposed hybrid between N. Tazetta 
and N. Jonquilla. It bears clusters of several fragrant 
flowers; the perianth petals being soft yellow and the cups 
of deeper yellow. Its chief difference from the yellow 
flowered polyanthus being its semi-cylindrical or half rush- 
like leaves. 

Intermedius Major. (E. 13 in. § 50c doz.) A larger 
flowered selection from the preceding with clusters of 
sweet-scented flowers. Perianth primrose; cup yellow. 

Intermedius BiFLORONS. Syn: Etoil d* or. (50c doz.) A 
pretty garden form with narrower petals of bright yellow 
and a longer cup of golden yellow: a dwarf grower. 
Practically a small-flowered polyanthus (Tazetta). 

Intermedius Sunset. (E. 16 in. § $3 doz.) A selec- 
tion or variety of bifrons with an orange-scarlet brimmed 
cup, the perianth being canary-yellow. It bears four to 
five flowers on a stem and is very showy. 



TENDER CLUSTER-FLOWERED I9I 

Orientalis. Syn: Schizanthus Orientalts, and Or'i- 
entails of Haivortk. (D. 12 in. 50c doz.) The yellow Ori- 
entalis, a supposed hybrid between varieties of A^ Tazetta 
and A^. incomparabilis. The flowers are borne in clusters 
of three to four, petals spreading, light yellow; cup orange 
yellow. Flat foliage. Very fragrant. 

MusARET ORIENTALIS. (E. 12 in. 50C doz.) The white 
Orientalis, good sized, sweetly scented, poeticus-like flowers 
borne in clusters. Perianth snow white ; cups yellow, stained 
orange. Excellent in temperate and warm climates for 
beds, borders, and pot culture. Though naturally late 
flowering it forces safely if done slowly. 



CHAPTER XVI 

The Hardy Cluster-Flowered 
Narcissus 

It Is only within the last few years that the 
beauty, fragrance and variety of the bouquet- 
like heads of flowers of the tender Tazettas 
have had a counterpart for our Northern gar- 
dens. This has become possible through the 
new hardy cluster-flowered hybrids, fully 
equalling and In some respects surpassing their 
more tender colleagues In size of flowers, 
beauty, colouring, and form. The new poe- 
taz and tridymus varieties have proven as 
robust and ruggedly hardy as any wild North- 
ern daffodil, and will become more popular 
when better known. 

NARCISSUS POETAZ 

This Is a very well defined section produced 
by crossing N, Tazetta varieties with N, 
poeticus ornatus as the seed parent. The Indi- 
vidual flowers of the poetaz hybrids resemble 
poeticus In form and size, are freely produced 

192 



HARDY CLUSTER-FLOWERED 1 93 

In pairs and clusters on strong stems so that a 
bed or clump of the plants In bloom shows a 
dense mass of flower. The varieties force 
easily and are effective when grown In pots 
and pans. Their fragrance Is not so oppressive 
In a confined atmosphere as that of the Tazet- 
tas. They were awarded a first prize at the 
Haarlem (Holland) Exhibition of 1900. 

Alsace. (C. $1.50 doz.) Broad pure white petals of 
true poeticus form: cup yellow, edged reddish while the 
blossom is young. It blooms three weeks earlier than N. 
poeticus ornatus and usually bears three flowers to a stem. 
Promises to be extra good for forcing. 

Elvira. (D. $i doz.) Long-stemmed large flowers of 
unusually good substance. Petals pure white; cup yellow. 
Extra free flowering, and three to four flowers on a stem; 
a very vigorous sturdy growing narcissus that multiplies 
rapidly, which accounts for its moderate price. Award of 
Merit, R. H. S. 

Ideal. ($2.50 doz.) White petals and a dark orange 
coloured cup. The clusters usually contain six to seven 
blossoms. 

Irene. ($2.50 doz.) Satiny sulphur-yellow petals and 
orange cup. A large broad truss containing eight to nine 
flowers. 

JAUNE A Merveille. (D. $3 doz.) The largest yellow 
flowered variety. Perianth yellow ; cup deep golden colour, 
seven to eight flowers on a stem. 

Klondyke. ($1.25 doz.) One of the deepest of the 
yellows. Perianth yellow; cup deep golden: six to sevea 
flowers in a truss. 

Louise. ($1.25 doz.) True poeticus formed flowers 



194 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

borne in clusters of three and four on stems two feet long. 
Large pure white petals and yellow cup. 

Lucia. ($1.50 doz.) Tall stems carrying seven to 
eight flowers with yellow perianth and golden yellow cup. 

Profusion. ($i doz.) Of dwarf growth but free flower- 
ing, bearing six flowers in a truss. Perianth white, cup 
yellow. 

Sunset. ($1.50 doz.) Bears six large flowers on a stem. 
Perianth sulphur-yellow; cup orange. 

Triumph. ($2.50 doz.) Bears three to four large 
Bazelman Major like flowers on a stem. Perianth pure 
white, cup deep yellow. 

NARCISSUS TRIDYMUS 

Hardy cluster-flowered hybrids, the indi- 
vidual flowers resembling those of a small 
Nelsoni, with spreading perianth, and cup- 
shaped crownB. They are produced from 
various crosses, A^, Tazetta always being one 
of the parents, the other being an Ajax or a 
Leedsil variety. The type bears two or three, 
some varieties four, and a few, five flowers 
in a cluster on a single stem. All are noted 
for their sweet fragrance. 

A. Rawson. (D. 14 in. $5 doz.) A very handsome 
variety with a full rich yellow cup, and bold clear yellow 
petals. 

Cloth of Gold. (D. 15 In. $2 ea.) One of the best 
of this section and the brightest coloured of all ; rich orange 
yellow perianth and deep golden cup. A robust grower, 
free bloomer and bold flowers rich in perfume. 



HARDY CLUSTER-FLOWERED 1 95 

Miss White. (C. 21 In. 50c ea.) Each stem bears 
three or four beautiful silvery white "Leedsli" flowers. 

Mrs. Alfred Pearson. (50c ea.) Four or five large 
pure white flowers with orange-yellow cups on each stem. 

S. A. De Graaff. (C. 12 In. $1.50 doz.) One to three 
large b©ld flowers to a stem. Perianth primrose-yellow; 
cup rich yellow. 

St. Patrick. (D. 50c ea.) Free flowering robust grow- 
ing, with three large and remarkably striking flowers to a 
stem. Perianth campanulate, soft yellow; cup rich deep 
golden colour well flanged at the mouth. Very sweetly 
scented. 

The Twins. (C. 15 in. $1.50 ea.) A pretty new 
variety bearing two flowers to a stem. Perianth creamy 
white; prominent rich yellow cup; violet scented: a 
robust grower. 



CHAPTER XVII 

Double Daffodils and Narcissus of all 

Groups 

Double-flowered daffodils and narcissus 
are found in but few of the sections. The ag- 
gregate number of distinct commercial kinds 
in all classes does not amount to over twenty- 
five — and even some of these are mere selec- 
tions — sent out under the Introducers' names. 
The large trumpet section has five double va- 
rieties in the all-yellows, two in the bi-colour 
and one in the all white divisions. The med- 
ium-crown daffodils have ten double varie- 
ties, while in the solitary-flowered cup 
group A^. poeticus supplies one double form 
only. Among the cluster-flowered the jonquils 
have two doubles and the Tazettas have the 
same number. 

The origin of the double narcissus is un- 
known and I think I am correct in saying that 
no double narcissus has been produced by the 

art of man, at least, not in modern times. I 

Z96 



DOUBLES OF ALL GROUPS 197 

am inclined to think that most doubles are 
*'sports" for double flowering plants are usu- 
ally found here and there among their wild 
single types and sometimes the double-flower- 
ing plants when transferred to other soil or 
locations will revert to the single type. 

There is much confusion of nomenclature 
among the doubles and In describing what I 
consider to be the only distinctive dependable 
commercial varieties I have given both popu- 
lar and botanical names. 

When the Daffodil Conference of 1884 
authorised the florist's method of naming all 
hybrid narcissus (e. g. Princess Mary, Sir 
Watkin, etc.) they relieved narcissus lovers of 
much complexity, but unfortunately the Con- 
ference ruled that wild species, sub-species, or 
types — which includes the doubles — were to 
retain their botanical titles. The result has 
been that in various books and catalogues we 
find the same variety under several names, 
some being the undiscarded, ancient titles, 
others more modern or popular appellations. 
Perhaps some future daffodil conference will 
straighten out the nomenclature of fixed 
double varieties. 



198 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

DOUBLE ALL YELLOW TRUMPET DAFFODILS 

Double Van Sign. (B. 12 to 15 in. §^*5oc doz.) 
This famous double yellow daffodil of old American gar- 
dens is also very popular in Europe under the name of 
"Wilmer's Double Golden Daffodil" and among the 
more botanical as "N. telamonius plenus," it being the 
doubled form of a single yellow large trumpet called 
"Telamonius" in England and "Van Sion" in Holland. 

It is not only the most important of all doubles, but 
probably the most important of all varieties, single or 
double. It is planted by the millions annually. It is gen- 
erally a reliable producer of large handsome double golden- 
yellow flowers under varied cultural treatments, soils and 
climates whether grown in garden borders, naturalised, 
or "forced" in pots or "flats" for winter flower. 

Like its parents Double Van Sion varies in size, form, 
and other characteristics accordingly as influenced by 
environment. Years ago when there was less demand for 
Double Van Sion, the growers of flowering bulbs propo- 
gated and dessiminated their own types of "pedigree" 
strains, and there was much rivalry among the growers 
as to the merits of their respective stocks, some having 
"rogued" to the unburst double trumpet type, others to the 
"rose double" form, i. e. trumpet burst, its petals curving 
backwards and intermingling with the perianth segments. 
Between these two extremes were several intermediate 
forms. But now no one grower seems to have a specialised 
type, all seem to depend upon small "collected" bulbs, most 
of which come from Asia Minor and Italy. These of 
course are very variable in type of flower. The bulb 
grower is supposed to plant and grow these collected 
bulbs for a year or two to "tone and fatten them up" and 
get the "green" out of the flowers. But every "rogue" 
(a bulb producing an undesirable style of flower) that is 



DOUBLES OF ALL GROUPS I99 

pulled up and thrown away — means the loss of Its cost— 
and people are not inclined to throw away money — we 
therefore do not get the percentage of ideal double unburst 
trumpets in our Double Van Sions — that we did a few 
years back. 

It is almost amusing when you complain to a foreign 
bulb grower about his strain of "Double Van Sions" to 
hear his explanations diplomatically put, but in substance : 
If forced: "you gave them too much heat or too soon," if 
in the open: "your climate it is too hot and the sun too 
bright." They will never admit anything wrong in their 
strains, but insinuate that the grower has actually brought 
into being such types of flowers by cultural mismanagement. 
And yet I know of double trumpet daffodils in old gar- 
dens that have annually produced flowers with unburst 
trumpets for many years, regardless of the too sudden 
change from winter into summer. 

Another vagary of the Double Van Sion is its tendency 
to produce flowers tinged with green and sometimes almost 
all green. 

I do not know that any scientific explanation of the 
reason, nor a remedy, has ever been advanced. A few 
years ago I visited a Guernsey narcissus farmer who ha<J 
removed his wares to Virginia — he had about two acres 
of Double Van Sion, the flowers of which were as green 
as grass although the bulbs, being unsalable, had remained 
undisturbed for three years. Mentioning the circumstance 
to an expert in the U. S. Department of Agriculture 
an effort was made to solve the riddle but to no good 
result. A reputable Holland bulb grower finally trans- 
fered the bulbs to Dutch soil saying that in two years the 
flowers would become as "yellow as gold." Of course 
this does not explain why southern forms of Double Van 
Sion "go green" and then grow out of it under different 
conditions. The moral however is: If you get a good strain 
of golden-yellow Double Van Sion that produces flowers 



200 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

with unburst trumpets — treasure and keep it, for such are 
getting scarce. 

Rose-flowered Double. (C, 14 in. t$3 doz.) Rich 
yellow and delightfully fragrant This old favourite has 
outlived several popular names, originally being known 
as "John TradescanVs Daffodil" which was "botanized" 
into Tradescanthus and Tradescant's CentifoHus, which 
was appropriate because the flower is really a conglomera- 
tion of small double flowers crowded together into a rosette. 
After Parkinson popularised it by the description in his 
Herbal published In 1629 — the variety was afterwards 
also known as "Parkinson's Rose-foivered Daffodil." Bo- 
tanlcally it is "Lobularis plenissimus or grandi-plenus. 

Dwarf Double Sweet Scented. (B. 10 in. t$2 doz.) 
Large, double, bright yellow, fragrant flowers. Dwarf 
sturdy growth, and does well in borders or naturalised in 
partial shade. It is usually catalogued under its botanical 
name or abbreviations of same which are sometimes con- 
fusing, its full title being "Pseudo lobularis pumilus pla- 
nus " but often the first and sometimes the second words 
are omitted. 

Queen Anne's Double. Syns: capax plenus and Eys- 
tettensis. (A. 7 in. t § II 75C ea.) A quaint old variety 
of greatest interest to the collector of varieties. The lemon 
yellow flowers are composed of six superimposed layers 
of six petals — like pointed stars — graduating in size. The 
single form is unknown. 

Rip Van Winkle. (B. 9 in. t$6 doz.) A very rare 
and interesting doubled form of the single Ajax Minor. 
A native of Ireland. Dwarf habit. Early and free flower- 
ing. The small doubled flowers are pale yellow, and frag- 
rant. Petals pointed and curiously twisted. 

Gerard's Silver and Gold Double. (B. 9 in. t$7-5o 
doz.) This rare old variety: N. Pseudo-Narcissus albus 
aureus plenus — with abbreviations to suit the length of 



DOUBLES OF ALL GROUPS 201 

catalogue line — is a very striking plant in bloom. Its 
medium-sized double flowers with silver and gold-coloured 
petals intermingled being very beautiful. It does best 
when naturalised in a partially shaded location in turf. 

Double Scotch. (B. 12 in. t§ll$2 doz.) This double 
form of the wild Scotch daffodil, A^. Scoticus, is also cata- 
logued frequently under its botanical title "N. Pseudo- 
Scoticus plenusy It is a very showy variety with white 
and yellow petals interspersed. 

DOUBLE ALL-WHITE TRUMPET DAFFODILS 

Double White Trumpet. (C. 10 in. t$2.5o ea.) This, 
we believe, is the only double form of an all white trum- 
pet daffodil now purchasable, and even it is very rare. 
Botanically it is known as A'^. cernuus plenus, being the 
double of the White Swan's Neck trumpet cernuus. The 
flowers are of exquisite beauty — cream-white, with a slight 
lemon tinge in the centre of the flower. It is most success- 
fully grown in partial shade naturalised in grass. It 
resents manure. 

DOUBLE MEDIUM CROWN DAFFODILS 

This section is comprised of double forms 
of well-marked single varieties of N. incom- 
parabilis, or the supposed direct progeny of 
natural crosses between an Ajax trumpet 
form and A^. poeticus. The flowers of this 
group do not retain either trumpet or crown- 
like formation, for the corona bursts bounds, 
curves back and socially mingles with the 
petals, thus forming what is called a "rose- 
double" daffodil. 



202 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

Like their single prototypes, these double 
forms are healthy, vigorous growers, bloom 
freely and adapt themselves to all sorts of 
cultural conditions except hot and fast 
forcing. They thrive in gardens and bor- 
ders; are at home when naturalised; and 
when grown cool and slow in pots they flower 
beautifully during late winter. 

Apricot Phoenix. (C. §11* $50 ea.) An introduction 
of 1905. Flowers large and very double, crown petals 
apricot yellow, interspersed with the cream-white perianth. 

Argent. (D. 18 in. §l[*$i ea.) A recent introduction 
of strong growth, bearing beautifully formed star-shaped 
double flowers. Creamy white with yellow centres. 

AuRANTius Plenus. (B. 17 in. §^*25c doz.) The 
common old double English garden daffodil known as 
"Butter and Eggs," a. name doubtless suggested by the 
colouring in the flowers which is of a light "butter-yellow" 
shading to orange at the centre. A free-growing and free- 
flowering variety, which if left undisturbed eventually 
forms large clumps or masses. Faintly fragrant. 

Golden Phoenix or Erini. (B. 17 in. § 1[*$i doz.) A 
large-flowered double Irish form, botanically "N. incorti' 
parabilis pallidus-plenus." In effect the coloring is a rich 
golden yellow, but more closely anaylised lemon yellow 
petals are interspersed with the rich golden ones. 

Golden Rose. (B. 17 in. §^*$2 doz.) Very large, 
round and very double flowers, deep yellow with a darker 
golden centre. 

Orange Phoenlx. (C. 17 in. §l[*4oc doz.) Popularly 
known as "Eggs and Bacon" and as N. incomparabilis 
albus aurantius plenus. Robust and free flowering. The 



DOUBLES OF ALL GROUPS 203 

large double flowers are composed of white petals with an 
orange coloured centre. 

Plenipo. (§^*$2.5o ea.) A choice selection bearing 
large, double rose shaped flowers of pale yellow. 

Silver or Sulphur Phoenix. (C. 18 in. §l[*75c doz.) 
One of the best varieties in the double incomparable section. 
Botanically it is "N. Pseudo-Narcissus albus plenus sul- 
phureus" but popularly known as Codlins and Cream. 
A robust grower, bearing very large double flowers of 
white, with sulphur colored centers. 

Primrose Phoenix. (§11 $3 ea.) A much admired 
variety with large double flowers of a primrose yellow. 
Award of merit R. H. S. 

Semi-partitus plenus. (*$i ea.) A rare and distinct old 
variety bearing double light lemon-yellow flowers. The 
pointed petals are arranged in six star-like superimposed 
rows in the same manner as in A^. Capax plenus. It 
received a first-class certificate from the Royal Nether- 
lands Horticultural Society. 

DOUBLE POETICUS 

Double Poet's Narcissus. (E. 15 in. *$i.5o hu.) 
It produces beautiful, large and fragrant double white flow- 
ers, which in purity, form and sweetness liken them to gar- 
denias, for which reason it is often called the "Gardenia- 
fioivered narcissus." Botanically it is A^. poeticus albus- 
plenus odoratus and so is usually catalogued, though often 
with mystifying abbreviations. It thrives best in moist, 
loamy soil, often failing to flower in dry locations and it 
resents pot culture and forcing. 

DOUBLE POLYANTHUS 

Notwithstanding that the single forms of 
the cluster-flowered polyanthus narcissus are 



204 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

SO numerous there are but three double forms 
now offered by dealers. It is curious to note 
this as there were more in years gone by. 

Chinese Sacred. It frequently happens that a bulb of 
this popular variety will be found to produce flowers with 
double cups. It does not appear to be constant, however, 
and no separation of the single and double flowering forms 
has been made. 

Constantinople. Syn: Double Roman. (B. $2 hu.) 
Very early and free flowering. Extensively forced by 
florists for winter cut flowers. It also does well when 
grown in pots. The perianth is white, the yellow cup 
usually double or semi-double. 

NoBLissiMUS Plenus. ($i doz.) Perianth cream 
coloured and a large double cup of orange yellow. 

DOUBLE FLOWERING JONQUILS 

That there are almost as many double 
forms of the sweet jonquils as there are sin- 
gles is remarkable considering the few dou- 
ble varieties of narcissus produced among 
other types. The double jonquils range in size 
of flower and plant like their single proto- 
types, from the small true jonquil (A^. Jon- 
quilla) to the large hybrid, Campernelle jon- 
quil (A^. odorus). 

Double Jonquil. (E. § * 30c doz.) N. Jonqutlla plenus 
is the correct botanical name of this doubled form of the 
true old single jonquil. Its beautiful rich yellow flowers 




^ bo 



DOUBLES OF ALL GROUPS 205 

are borne In twos and threes on short stocky flower stalks. 
It does better when naturalised in grass on dry warm hill- 
sides than in the garden ; but it flowers perfectly in pots, 
if grown cool and slowly. A late bloomer. 

Queen Anne's Double Jonquil. (B. 12 in. t$2doz.) 
N. odorus minor plenus. This famous old variety bears 
tw» or three small sweet-scented double-rose-shaped flowers 
of rich golden yellow colour on twelve inch stems. It does 
well in shaded garden beds, naturalised in grass and is 
charming when grown in pots, five to six bulbs in a five 
inch pot. 

Giant Double Jonquil. (C. 20 in. 1 75c ea.) N. 
Campernelli plenus. This magnificent jonquil is said to 
be a doubled Campernelle, but its strength of growth and 
size of flower seems to indicate that it is a double form of 
N. odorus rugulosus maximus. Under favoured conditions the 
flower stems attain a height of two feet, each stem carrying 
erect from two to six large double fragrant bright yellow 
flowers, which deepen to orange at the junction of double 
cup and perianth. A bed of these left un^listurbed until 
established — for at least two years — will produce blos- 
soms in such numbers and size as to be a revelation even 
to daffodil lovers. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

Some Autumn Flowering Species 

These rare, curious, and dainty little mem- 
bers of the genus Narcissus are found grow- 
ing wild, not often but occasionally. In Al- 
geria, Morocco, Gibraltar, Spain, Italy and 
sometimes In other localities closely bordering 
the Mediterranean. They are all round or 
rush-leaved types bearing their flowers in jon- 
quil-like clusters. 

The characteristics of spring-flowering daf- 
fodils and narcissus, i. e. love of moist cool- 
ness Is exactly reversed In these autumn flow- 
ering kinds. These require almost tropical 
heat, and dry seasons followed by wet 
ones. They are not recommended for ordi- 
nary garden cultivation in the North, though 
they may be grown in frames covered with 
glass during the late autumn and winter 
months and may also be grown and flowered 
in pots. 

N. SEROTINUS. (lo in. 50c. doz.) The fragrant little 
flowers of this variety, borne in twos or threes on slender 

206 



AUTUMN FLOWERING SPECIES 207 

stems, have spreading white petals turning slightly back- 
wards ; the lemon-yellow cup is very small. The leaves 
are produced late in the fall, after the plant has ceased 
blooming, therefore it must be protected with glass until 
growth has been completed if flowers another season are 
desired. 

N. SEROTINUS, VAR. ELCGANS. This variety somewhat re- 
sembles the preceding differing in the following partic- 
ulars: the pure white petals are more slender and very 
pointed ; the small yellow cup is saucer-shaped. The 
leaves and flowers are produced at the same time. 

N. VIRIDIFLORUS. ($2 ea.) The green narcissus, a rare 
little species blooming in November. Its small fragrant 
star-like flowers with insignificant cups — are borne in two 
to four flower clusters on tall stems. The coloring of the 
flower is a really pretty shade of light green. 



CHAPTER XIX 



Hybridising and Raising From Seed 



In entering Into this fascinating field of 
hybridising and raising seedlings, avoid above 
all things any haphazard way, making what 
Mr. Darwin called "fool's experiments." 
Have some definite object In view. The pro- 
duction of a King Alfred, for instance, in an 
early flowering form which might possibly be 
accomplished by crossing that variety on spu- 
rius major or Golden Spur, or vice versa, 
would be a real achievement. Always work 
for constitution, vigour of growth and sturdy 
stems, as well as for size, form, substance and 
freedom of bloom; and for rich and deep, or 
else sharply contrasting colouring — no 
washed-out blends are needed. The petals 
are usually the weakest part of the flower and 
can stand Improving. In many flowers they 
lack substance and breadth. In some varieties 
I find they wither and curl back in a sunny ex- 
posure, while the trumpet or crown Is still 
holding well. 

208 



RAISING FROM SEED 209 

There are hundreds of desirable possibili- 
ties to work for and hundreds of possible com- 
binations to work with, this being one of the 
phases of daffodil culture that makes it so 
fascinating. The enthusiast's culmination of 
delight is in watching the development of the 
first flowers of his own seedlings, for he Is 
always sure that something will develop to 
astonish the world — possibly a silver-winged 
Weardale with scarlet trumpet or a golden- 
winged Autocrat with snow-white crown. 

In every fertile flower of Narcissus, the 
long, slender style with its swollen stigma, 
after the lobes develop, exudes a sticky sub- 
stance which Indicates that the stigma Is In a 
receptive condition. Pollen Is the yellow, 
dust-like grains adhering to the anthers which 
dangle at the ends of the six stamens sur- 
rounding the stigma. When ripe pollen 
comes into contact with the stigma, pol- 
lination results, which If effective, is called 
fertilisation. When the pollen of a flower 
falls upon its own stigma It Is self pollination 
or self fertilisation. If the pollen Is that from 
another flower of the same type on a differ- 
ent plant, It Is cross pollination. A true hy- 



210 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

brid Is the result of crossing quite different 
flowers. 

The flowers to be artificially pollenized 
should have their anthers removed before 
the pollen is ready to shed, to prevent self pol- 
lination. Then tie a piece of netting over the 
flower to prevent insects from carrying for- 
eign pollen to the stigma. When the latter 
Is ripe for the operation, apply the pollen 
from the chosen flower by means of a camel's 
hair brush slightly moistened, or a bit of Ivory 
or bone. Re-cover the flower operated upon 
with netting. It is advisable to repeat this 
operation two or three times on successive 
days to make sure that the purpose has been 
accomplished. If fertilisation is successful, 
the ovary will soon develop Into a seed pod 
and as it nears maturity, it should be carefully 
watched and gathered before it bursts and 
scatters Its seeds. 

When the Intended parents flower at differ- 
ent times, artificial crossing Is accomplished 
by retarding the early flowering sort and has- 
tening the flowering of the late sort by forc- 
ing under glass if necessary. But If, normally, 
the difference in time is not over two weeks, 



RAISING FROM SEED 211 

this may be accomplished In outdoor cultiva- 
tion by selecting an early site for the late- 
flowering kind and a late site for the early 
one, as discussed In Chapter II. By ad- 
justing the regular forcing methods given In 
Chapter III., types widely differing In time 
of bloom may be brought to flower simulta- 
neously. In this way, the poetaz race (the 
result of crossing the late flowering N. poeti- 
cus, var. ornatus with an early-flowering 
Tazetta variety) was made possible. Also, In 
the same way, the Sprengerl hybrids were pro- 
duced by crossing a large yellow trumpet va- 
riety with the Paper White. The Leedsii 
varieties are crosses of the white trumpets 
and poeticus. 

But it Is not alone the crossing of species 
and widely differing forms that gives us the 
most valuable results. Most of the best large 
new daffodils of the present time have been 
produced by crossing Individuals of the same 
group. King Alfred, the acknowledged peer 
of the all-yellow trumpets — certificated In 
1899 ^^^ still worth $15.00 per bulb — is a 
cross between Maximus and Emperor, large 
yellow trumpet daffodils. Other Instances 



212 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

could be cited to show that crossing In the 
same group often produces progeny superior 
to either parent. 

SOWING DAFFODIL SEEDS AND RAISING 
THE SEEDLINGS 

The seeds of narcissus and daffodils should 
be sown as soon as ripe, about August, In 
wooden boxes with holes In the bottom, or 
earthen pots or pans. Cover the holes with 
broken pottery, then place over the hole a 
layer of more finely broken pots or cinders 
and another layer of cocoanut fibre refuse, or 
old fibrous roots from sods to prevent the soil 
from filling up the rubble and stopping the 
drainage. Over this place a two or three-Inch 
layer of good loamy soil free from manure, 
mixed with about ten per cent, of sand. On 
this sow the seeds, scattering them thinly over 
the surface, and cover with half an Inch 
of loamy soil mixed with one-half sand. The 
object of so much sand Is to prevent the soil 
from caking and forming a surface which It 
would be difficult for young growth to pene- 
trate. The boxes, pots or pans containing 



RAISING FROM SEED 213 

the seeds should be placed In a cold-frame on 
a layer of ashes two or three inches deep, to 
keep worms out and to further facilitate 
drainage. 

The seedlings may appear In a month or 
two — little narrow, rush-like leaves — ^but 
they sometimes come up at intervals through- 
out the winter and sometimes do not germin- 
ate until spring. The seedlings are to remain 
undisturbed in their boxes or pans In the 
frame for about two years or until the little 
bulbs have attained the size of large peas, 
when they are to be transplanted to a cool, 
semi-shaded situation In the garden in a raised 
bed of finely prepared sandy loam. Here 
they should remain until the flowering size is 
reached. 

The time required for flowering from the 
seed differs with the sections. The miniature 
daffodils, namely, Bulbocodium, triandrus, 
cyclamineus, juncifolius, etc., will generally 
flower the third year after sowing; but the 
larger-growing kinds can hardly be expected 
to flower under four or five years from the 
seed and even then, they will continue to im- 
prove for a year or two and give their first 



2 1 4 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

characteristic flower in from seven to ten 
years. 

Crosses in which Tazetta varieties take 
place are usually longer in producing their 
first flowers than any other combinations. 



APPENDIX 
A Key to the Daffodils 

BY 

WiLHELM Miller and Leonard Barron 



A Key to the Daffodils 

INCLUDING ALL THE HYBRID GROUPS OR "SECTIONS'' AND 
IMPORTANT SPECIES. 

The following key is, we believe, the first 
which clearly distinguishes all the important 
sections and species of the daffodil or narcis- 
sus. If the beginner will spend five minutes 
upon it he will get a better grasp of the genus 
Narcissus than he can get in any other way, 
because the key shows in the briefest possible 
form how each species and hybrid group sec- 
tion differs from any other, and also what it 
has in common with any other. Moreover, 
it not only gives one a vivid mental picture of 
the whole genus, but it also enables one to 
determine with certainty, in the shortest pos- 
sible time, to what section an unknown flower 
belongs. Then by referring to the descrip- 
tion list of varieties in the first part of the 
book the exact name of the flower can be de- 
termined. 

In order to get a grasp of the genus Nar- 
cissus, notice first the distinctness between A, 
AA, and AAA. Here we have the daffodils 

217 



2 1 8 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

divided into the (A), large- ; (AA), me- 
dium - ; and (AAA), small-crowned groups, 
which are better distinguished commonly as 
trumpets, cups and saucers. Under A, notice 
that we have B, BB, and BBB, which show 
that the petals spread horizontally in the first 
species * point backwards in species Nos. 5 
and 6 and forward in No. 7. 

In like manner, the most important dis- 
tinctions among the medium-crowned daffo- 
dils are indicated by B and BB under AA; 
namely, that the leaves are broad and flat 
in species 8 to 15 inclusive, while they are 
narrow and rush-like in species 16 and 17. 

Again, among the small-crowned daffodils, 
the most important distinctions are shown 
by B, BB, and BBB, which clearly indicate 
the number of flowers on a stem possessed by 
species Nos. 18 to 28. 

Suppose now that we wish to place an un- 
known flower in its proper section. We 
choose first between A, AA, and AAA. If 
our specimen has a large-crowned flower, it 



* (Note: For the present purposes the typical hybrid 
groups, or sections, are regarded as species, and the peri- 
anth segments are referred to simply as "petals"). 



KEY TO THE DAFFODILS 219 

clearly belongs under A, and we must next 
choose between B, BB, and BBB. The petals 
spread horizontally, which places it under B. 
If our specimen has only one flower on a 
stem, it belongs then under C, and we must 
choose between D and DD. If it has a 
spread trumpet, it belongs under D, and if 
the trumpet is straight, and flared only at the 
rim, it clearly belongs under species No. i, 
namely Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus, which Is 
the most important group of all as it contains 
most of the common trumpet daffodils. 

The authorities disagree about N, Back- 
housei. Even Peter Barr puts It in the large- 
crowned section in his catalogue and in the 
medium-crowned section in his book. All 
agree that it is a hybrid between a large- 
crowned and a medium - or small-crowned 
type (some say Incomparablis, some poeticus, 
and some Tazetta), yet we have searched 
the books in vain for any indication that the 
flower of Backhousei has a crown appreciably 
shorter in relation to the petals than the typi- 
cal trumpet varieties. On the contrary, Peter 
Barr distinctly states that the cup is nearly 
as long as the petals. Hence, A^. Backhousei 



2 20 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 

may be sought below In either the large - or 
medium-crowned sections. 

The new section, N, Englehearti, has not 
yet been described with sufficient precision to 
enable us to insert it in the key. It is closely 
allied to N. Burhidgei, and indeed some of 
the varieties of the new section were formerly 
included in Burbidgei. The crown is short, 
spreading and much fluted. 

A. The large-crowned, or trumpet daffodils; crown almost 
as long as the petals (here might be sought No. 9) or 
longer; perianth tube much shorter than the crown and 
wide. 

B. Petals spreading horizontally. 

C. Number of flowers on a stem only one. 

D. Trumpet straight or flared only at the rim 

I. N. Pseudo-Narcissus. 
DD. Trumpet flaring widely like a hoop skirt 

2. N. Bulbocodium. 
CC. Number of flowers on a stem two or three 

3. A^. tridymus. 
BB. Petals pointing backward 

C. Flowers large: height twelve inches: hardy 

4. A'^. Johnstoni. 
CC. Flowers small: height six inches: for pot culture 

of rockeries 5. N. cyclamtneus. 

BBB. Petals pointing forward 6. N. Humei. 

AA. The medium-crowned, or cup daffodils: crown more 
than one-third and up to three-fourths as long as the 
petals: perianth tube about as long as the crown. 



KEY TO THE DAFFODILS 221 

B. Leaves broad and flat. 

C. Flowers large: height a foot or more, hardy. 
D. Blossoms not drooping. 
E. Petals generally yellow, sometimes white. 
F. Cup a third or more the length of the petals. 

7. N. incomparabilis. 
FF. Cup a fourth to a third of the length of the 

petals 8. N. Barrii. 

FFF. Cup nearly as long as the petals. 

9. N. Backhousei. 
EE. Petals always white. 

F. Cup white 10. N. Leedsii. 

FF. Cup orange-scarlet: crown half as long as 

the petals 11. N. Bernardi. 

FFF. Cup yellow, sometimes tinged orange: 
crown more than half as long as the petals. 

12. A''. Nelsoni. 

DD. Blossoms drooping 13. A^. montanus. 

CC. Flowers small: height four to nine inches: for 

pots or rockeries 14. A''. Macleaii. 

BB. Leaves narrow, rush-like. 

C. Petals reflexed 15. N. triandrus. 

CC. Petals spreading horizontally. 

D. Flowers large: height twelve to twenty-two 
inches: petals not imbricated: hardy. 

16. N. odorus. 
DD. Flowers small: height three to four inches: 
petals imbricated: for pots or rockeries. 

17. A'^. juncifolius. 

AAA. The small-crowned or saucer daffodils: crown less 

than one-third as long as the petals: perianth tube 

much longer than the crown and narrow. 

B. Number of flowers about a dozen: only for indoor 

' culture North. 

C. For pot culture 18. N. Tazetta. 



222 DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 

CC. For culture in pure water 19. N. Tazetta 

var. orientalis. 
BB, Number of flowers usually three to eight. 

20. A^. poetaz. 
BBB. Number of flowers one (except "Twin-Flow- 
ered," a variety of poeticus) 
C. Leaves broad and flat. 

D. Saucer nearly flat 21. N. poeticus. 

DD. Saucer a trifle deeper 22. N. Burbidgei. 

CC. Leaves narrow, rush-like. 
D. Blooming in autumn. 

E. Flowers all green 23. N. mridtftorus. 

EE. Flowers white with yellow crown. 

F. Flowers before leaves 24. N. serotinus. 

FF. Flowers with leaves 25. N. elegans. 

DD. Blooming in May. 
E. Yellow at first, becoming sulphur. 

26. N. gracilis. 
EE. Colour not changing. 

F. Petals and cup yellow 27. N. Jonquilla. 

FF. Petals pale yellow: cup yellow or orange.. 

28. A^. intermedium. 

INDEX TO SPECIES 

The following Index to the species or sec- 
tions will enable anyone to locate Its place in 
the preceding Key. The numbers Immedi- 
ately following the names refer to the order in 
which the names are given in the key; the 
page references (in parenthesis) indicate 
where the full descriptions of the varieties of 
the section, and their appraisement as garden 



KEY TO THE DAFFODILS 



223 



plants, by Mr. KIrby, will be found In the 
preceding chapters. 



Backhouse!, 9 (p. 142) 
Barrii, 8 (p. 166) 
Bernard!, 11 (p. 169) 
biflorus, 21 (p. 173) 
Bulbocodium, 2 (p. 143) 
Burbidgei, 22 (p. 174) 
cyclamineus, 5 (p. 145) 
elegans, 25 (p. 207) 
Engleheartii, . . .(p. 178) 
gracilis, 26 (p. 182) 
Humei, 6 (p. 141) 
incoraparabilis, 7 (p. 148) 
intermedius, 28 (p. 190) 
Johnstoni, 4 (p. 146) 
Jonquilla, 27 (p. 180) 
juncifolius, 17 (p. 181) 



Leedsii, 10 (p. 158) 
Macleaii, 14 (p. 165) 
montanus, 13 (p. 164) 
Nelsonii, 12 (p. 156) 
odorus, 16 (p. 181) 
poetaz, 20 (p. 193) 
poeticus, 21 (p. 170) 
Pseudo-Narcissus, i (p. iii) 
serotinus, 24 (p. 206) 
Tazetta, 18 (p. 185) 
Tazetta, van orientalis, 19 

(p. 191) 
tridymus, 3 (p. 194) 
triandrus, 15 (p. 147) 
viridiflorus, 23 (p. 207) 



INDEX 



Abscissus, 112. 
Achilles, 112. 
Ada Brooke, 133. 
Admiral Makaroff, 112. 

Togo, 112. 
Adonia, 185. 
Advice to beginners, 10. 
After flowering, 56. 
Agnes Barr, i7<;. 

Harvey, 159. 
Ajax varieties, 100, iii, 

198. 
Albatross, 167. 
Albicans, 126. 
Alice Knights, 126. 



Atalanta, 127. 
Aurantius, 149, 157. 

Plenus, 202. 
Autocrat, 149. 
Autumn flowering, 108, 206. 
Avalanche, 127. 
Baby Jonquil, see junci- 

folius. 
Backhousei, loi, 142, 143. 
Barbara Holmes, see Lady 

Godiva. 
Baroness Heath, 175. 
Barrii, 104, 166. 
Basal rot, 20, 94. 
Bathurst, 185. 
Bazelman major, i86. 



Alida, 112. 

All white trumpets, 125, 201 Beacon, 175. 

All yellow trumpets, iii. Beatrice, 159. 

Almira, 171. Haseltine, 175. 

Alsace, 193. Beauty, 149. 

Alvarez, 112. Beginners, advice to, xo. 

Amab' 's, 159. Bernardi, 104, 169. 

Amazon, 159. Bernice, 175. 

Amsterdam, 149. Bertie, 150. 

Angel's tears, see Tri- Bianca, 159. 



andrus. 
Angustifolius, 171. 
Apricot, 126. 

Phoenix, 202. 
Apricot-crowned Leedsiis, 
see Salmonetta and 
Peach. 
A. Rawson, 194. 
Ard Righ, 112. 
Argent, 202. 
Ariadne, 159. 
Artemis, 149. 
Astradente, 178. 



Bicolor, 133 

Ajax, loi. 

of Haworth, 133. 
Bicolour maximus, see 
Grandee. 

trumpets, 133. 
Biflorus, 105, 173, 174. 

hybridus, 174. 
Big Ben, 113. 
Blackwell, 150. 
Blast, cause of, 64. 
Blindness, cause of, 73. 
Blood Orange, 176. 



225 



226 



DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 



Breviflos, 134. 
Bridal Veil, 159. 
Bridesmaid, 159. 
Bulb, diseased, 45. 

growth of a, 17. 

how to order, 49. 

increase of, 30, 44, 

selection, 43. 

size of, 18, 24. 

what is good, 45. 

citrinum or citrinus, 144. 
Bulbocodium 
see p. 144. 

conspicuum or conspicua, 
144. 

miniature, 144. 

monophyllum or mono- 
phylla, 144. 

praecox, 144. 
Bullfinch, 167. 
Bunching flowers, 79. 
Burbidgei, 105, 174, 175. 
Butter and Eggs, see Au- 

rantius and Aurantiu* 

plenus. 
Buttercup, see Obvallaris 

pallidus. 
Cabeceiras, 134. 
Calpurnia, 134. 
Cambricus, 113. 
Cameoens, 134. 
Campernelle group, 105, 

180, 204. 

Jonquil, 181. 

major, see odorus rugu- 
losus. 

plenus, see Giant Double 
Jonquil. 
Canary Queen, 150. 
Capax plenus, see Queen 

Anne's Double. 
Captain Nelson, 113. 
Cardinal, 150. 
Cassandra, 171. 



Cecilia De Graaff, 127. 
Cecily Hill, 167. 
Cernuus, 127. 

plenus, see Double White 
trumpet. 

pulcher, 127. 
Cervantes, 113. 
Charles Dickens, 185. 
Chaucer, 171. 
C. H. Curtis, 113. 
Cheesecloth protection, 39 
Cherry Ripe, 176. 
Chinese sacred, 65, 186, 204. 
Christmas, forcing for, 63, 

70. 
Circe, see Duchess of Bra- 
bant. 
C. J. Backhouse, 150. 
Classification, 98. 
Cleopatra, 113. 
Close club, 10. 
Cloth of Gold, 194. 
Club, 10. 
Clusii, see Bulbocodium 

Monophyllum. 
Cocoanut fibre refuse 36, 67 
Codlins and Cream, see 

Silver Phoenix. 
Colleen Bawn, 127. 
Colonizing, 82. 
Colour, preserving, 38. 
Commander, 150. 
Commercial cut flowers, 70. 
Concord, 179. 
Conference, 9. 
Conspicuus, 167. 

minor, see Orphee. 
Constance Pierpont, 159. 
Constantinople, 187, 204. 
Constellation, 150. 
Cora Plemp, 127. 
Coronatus, 114. 
Countess of Annesley, 114. 

Desmond, 114. 



INDEX 



227 



Cresset, 179. 
Crom-a-Boo, 114. 
Crosses, 7. 
Crown Frilled, see Crom-a- 

Boo. 

Prince, 167. 

Princess, 176. 
Cupid, 167. 

Cutting, flowers for, 43. 70- 
C. W. Cowan, 127. 
Cyclamen-flowered group, 

102, 145. 
Cyclamineus, 102, 145. 

var. major, 146. 
Cygnet, 134- 
Cynosure, 150. 
Daffodil conference, 9. 

typical, 13- 
Dainty Maid, 134- 
Dandy Dick, 151. 
Daniel Dewar, 114- 
Dante, 171. 
Dean Herbert, 134- 
Defiance, 114- 
Delos, 160. 
Depths to plant, 24. 
Diana, 160. 
Disease, 93. 
Distances apart, 24. 
Dividing, 29, 31. 
Doctor Gorman, 151- ^ 
Don Quixote, see Princeps 

Maximus. 
Dormant period, 18. 
Dorothy E. Wemyss, 167. 
Double Jonquil, 204. 

Poet's Narcissus, 203. 

Roman, see Constanti- 
nople. 

Scotch, 201. 

Van Sion, 19, 198. 

White Trumpet, 201. 
Double-flowered group, 108, 
196. 



Dr. Fell, 167. 

Hogg, 128. 
Dubius, see Paper White. 
Duchess of Brabant, 160. 
Connaught, 127. 
Normandy, 128. 
Westminster, 160. 
Duke of Bedford, 134. 
Dutch minor, see Minor. 
Moschatus, see Albicans, 
nanus, see Lobularis. 
Dwarf Double Sweet 

Scented, 200. 
Early Bird, 115. 
flowering, 65. 
Edmond's White, see Mag- 
gie May. 
Eggs and Bacon, see 

Orange Phoenix. 
Egret, 179- 
Elaine, 160. 
Eliza Turck, 115. 
Ellen Barr, 176. 
Elvira, 193. 
Emperor, 115. 
Empress, 134. 
Englehearti, 105, 178. 
English Lent Lily, see 

Pseudo-Narcissus. 
Enid, 160. 
Eoster, 160. 
Epic, 172. 
E. T. Cook, 135. 
Etoil d'or, see Intermedius 

biflorons. 
Excelsior, 115. 
Exquisite, 128. 
Eystettensis, see Queen 

Anne's Double. 
Fairy Queen, 160. 
Falstaff, 176. 
Farm, a flower, 77- 
Fearless, 151. 
Fertilizers, 24, 67, 73. 74* 



228 



DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 



Field Culture, 76. 
Figaro, 151. 
Fire Glow, 169. 
Firebrand, 176. 
Flats, 70. 

Flora Wilson, 168. 
Forcing, 47, 55, 7°. 

for Christmas, 63, 70. 

varieties for, 59, 60, 76. 
Frailty, 176. 
Frank Miles, 151. 
Fred Moore, 115. 
F. W. Burbidge, 128. 
Gaiety, 151. 

Ganymedes, see Triandrus. 
Garden analysis, 99. 

crosses, 7. 

cultivation, 17. 
Gardenia-flowered narcis- 
sus, see Double Poet's 
Narcissus. 
Garland flower, see Pseudo- 
Narcissus. 
Gem, 161. 

General Murray, 168. 
George Nicholson, 151. 

Philip Haydon, 116. 
Gerard's Silver and Gold 

Double, 200. 
Giant Double Jonquil, 205. 

jonquil, see odorus. 

Princeps, see Princeps 
Maximus. 

trumpet group, loo, 11 1, 
198. 
Gipsy Lad, 151. 
Glitter, 168. 
Gloria Mundi, 151. 
Gloriosa superba, see Glo- 

rlosus. 
Gloriosus, 187. 
Glory, 172. 

of Leiden, 116. 
Gold Eye, 179. 



Golden Bell, n6. 

Eagle, 116. 

Gem, 168. 

Giant, see Monarch. 

Mary, i68. 

Phoenix, or Erini, 202. 
see Aurantius. 

Plover, 116. 

Prince, 117. 

Princeps, see Golden 
Plover. 

Rose, 202. 

Spur, 117, 
Goliath, 152. 
Good luck flower, see 

Chinese Sacred. 
Grace Darling, 128. 
Gracilis, 106, 182. 

tenuior, 182. 
Grand Duchess, 161. 

Emperor of China, see 
Chinese Sacred. 

Monarque, 187. 

Primo, 187. 

Primo Citronierre, 185. 

Soleil D'or, 185. 
Grandee, 135. 
Grandiflorus, 172. 
Grandis, see Grandee. 
Grandis-praecox, see Prae- 

cox. 
Groot Voorst, 187. 
Grouping, 37, 84. 
Gwendolen, 135. 
Gwyther, 152. 
Hamlet, 117. 
Hardy cluster - flowered 

group, 107, 192. 
Harold Hodge, 176. 
Hatfield Beauty, 128. 
Haunts, 6. 
H. E. Buxton, 169. 
Helene, see N. gracilis. 
Henri Vilmorin, 128. 



INDEX 



229 



Henry Irving, 117. 
Her Majesty, 117, 187. 
Heroine, i6i. 
Hogarth, 152. 
Homer, 172. 
Hon. Mrs. Barton, 161. 
Mrs. Joscelyn, n8. 
Hoop-petticoat group, 102, 

143- 
Horsefieldi, 135. 
House culture, 63. 
How to plant, 27. 
Hulda, 135. 
Humei, loi, 141. 

albidus, 142. 

concolor, 142. 

monstrosus, 142. 
Hume's Giant, see Humei 

monstrosus. 
Hyacinth, 176. 
Hybridizers, early, 8. 
Hybridising, 208. 
Hybrids, 6. 
Incomparabilis, 103, 148. 

albus aurantius plenus, 
see Orange Phoenix. 

pallidus - plenus, see 
Golden Phoenix or 
Erini. 

simplex, sec Aurantius. 
Incognito, 179. 
Insect, 93. 

Intermediate cluster-flow- 
ered group, 189. 
Intermedins, 107, 190. 

biflorons, 190. 

Major, 190. 

minor, see Intermedins. 

Sunset, 190. 
lone, 135. 
Irene, 193. 

Irish King, see Ard Righ. 
Isolde, ii8, 136. 
Ivanhoe, 118. 



James Bateman, 152. 
Janet Image, 161. 
Jaune a Merveille, 193. 

Supreme, 185. 
J. B. M. Camm, 136. 
Jenny Woodhouse, 128. 
John Bain, 176. 

Bright, n8. 

Davidson, 136. 

Nelson, 118. 

Tradescant's DaflFodil, see 
Rose-flowered Double. 
Johnstoni, 102, 146. 

"Queen of Spain," 146. 
Jonquil group, 105, 180, 204. 
Jonquilla, 106, 180. 

plenus, see Double Jon- 
quil. 
Jos flower, see Chinese 

Sacred. 
J. T. Bennett Poe, 147. 
Juncifolius, 106, 181. 
Katherine Spurrell, 161, 
Key to the Daffodils, 217. 
King Alfred, 118. 

Edward VII., see Almira. 

Humbert, 119. 

of Daffodils, see Glory of 
Leiden. 

of the Netherlands, 152. 

Umberto, see King Hum- 
bert. 
Klondyke, 193. 
Lady Arnott, 152. 

Audrey, 128. 

Godiva^ 168. 

Gregory, 162. 

Grosvenor, 129. 

Helen Vincent, 119. 

Isabel, 176. 

Margaret Boscawen, 152. 

McCalmont, 161. 

of the Snows, 128. 

Somerset, 129. 



^30 



DAFFODILS NARCISSUS 



Lady Sybil, 129. 

Willes, 119. 
Large White Spanish DafiFo- 

dil, see Albicans. 
Leedsii, 103, 158, i6i. 
Lena, 136. 
Lesser trumpet group, 101, 

141. 
Lifting, 29, 31. 
L'Innocence, 129. 
Little Dirk, 177. 

Dorritt, 177. 
Lismore, 129. 
Lobster, 152. 
Lobularis, 136. 

Neerlandicus, see Nanus. 

plenissimus, see Rose- 
flowered Double. 
Lord Canning, 185. 

Palmerston, 162. 

Roberts, 119. 
Lorifolius, 119. 

Emperor, see Emperor. 
Lorna Doone, 119. 
Louise, 152, 193. 
Loveliness, 129. 
Lucia, 162, 194. 
Ideal, 193. 
Improved Campernelle, see 

Odorus rugulosus. 
Lucifer, 152. 
Lul worth, 153. 

Beauty, see Lulworth. 
Lusitanica, see Cameoens. 
Lydia, 153. 
Mable Cowan, 153. 
Macleaii, 104, 165. 
Madame De Graaff, 129. 

Plemp, 136. 
Madge Matthew, 162. 
Maestro, 187. 
Maggie May, 162. 
Magog, 153. 
Major, 119. 

Spurius, 120. 



Manure, danger of, 22'. 
Many - flowered Camper- 
nelle, see Odorus cala- 

tMna. 
Marchioness of Lome, 129. 
Market flowers, 75. 
Mars, 153. 
Marvel, 172. 
Mary Anderson, 153 . 
M. De Graaff, see Mary 

Magdaline De Graaf. 
Magdaline De Graaf, 

162. 
Matson Vincent, 129. 
Maurice Vilmorin, 168. 
Maw's bicolor, 136. 
Maximus, 120. 
of the Pyrenees, see 

Maximus superbus lon- 

givirens. 
superbus longivirens, 120. 
Mediterranean types, 4. 
Medium-crowned hybrid 

group, 103, 148, 201. 
Mercedes, 177. 
Michael Foster, 137. 
Mikado, i2i. 

Miniature flowers, 62, 90. 
Minimus, 121. 
Minnie Hume, 162. 
Warren, see W. P. 

Milner. 
Minor, 121. 
Miriam Barton, 168. 
Miss Weisse, 163. 

White, 195. 
M. J. Berkeley, i2i. 
Modern, 3. 
Monarch, 122. 
Montanus, 104, 164. 
Mont Cenis, 187. 
Morning Star, 122. 
Moschatus, 130. 

of Haworth, 130. 
Moss culture, 66. 



INDEX 



231 



Mountain Maid, 163. 

Mr. J. Bell Camm, see J. B. 

M. Camm. 
Mrs. Alfred Pearson, 195. 

Bettridge, 130. 

Buchanan, 137. 

Burbidge, 130. 

C. Bowley, i68. 

C. J. Backhouse, 157. 

C. W. Earle, 137. 

Geo. H. Barr, 130. 

H. J. Elwes, 122. 

J. Bell Camm, 130. 

Knights, 157. 

Krelage, 177. 

Langtry, 163. 

Morland Crosfield, 137. 

R. C. Notcutt, 168. 

Thompson, 131. 

Vincent, 131. 

Walter T. Ware, 137. 
Mulch for winter, 32. 
Mulching materials, 34. 
Muscaret orientalis, 191. 
Muticus, see Abscissus. 
Nanus, 122. 

albus, see W. P. Mil- 

ner. 

Major, see Nanus. 

minimus, see Minimus. 

minor, see Minor. 
Narcissus fly, 95. 

typical, 13. 
Native haunts, 6. 
Natural hybrids, 6. 
Naturalising, 7, 8i. 
Nelsoni, 103, 156. 

major, 157. 

minor, 157. 
Nelson's Orange, see Au- 

rantius. 
Newton, see Sir Isaac 

Newton. 
Niobe, 163. 



Noblissimus Plenus, 204. 
Nomenclature, 98. 
North Star, see Early Bird. 
Notch planting, 86. 
Obvallaris, 122. 

pallidus, 122. 
Occident, i68. 
Odorus, io6, i8i. 

calathina, 182. 

heminalis, 181. 

interjectus, 181. 

minor plenus, see Queen 
Anne's Double Jonquil. 

rugulosus, 181. 

rugulosus maximus, 182. 
Offsets, 30. 

Old plantings character- 
istics, 85. 
Old-Time and Modern, 3. 
Oonah, 122. 
Ophelia, 123. 
Ophir, 123. 
Orange Phoenix, 202. 
Oriana, 138. 
Oriental types, 4. 
Orientalis, 107, 191. 

of Haworth, see Orient- 
alis. 
Oriflamme, 177. 
Ornatus, 172. 
Orphee, 169. 
Osiris, 138. 
Othello 123. 
Ovid, 177. 

Pallidus praecox, 131. 
Palmerston, see Lord Palm- 

erston. 
Pans, 53. 
Paper White, 188. 

Grandiflora, 189. 

multiflora, see Paper 
White Grandiflora. 
Papyraceus, see Paper 
White. 



232 



DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 



Parkinson's Rose-flowered 
Daffodil, see Rose- 
flowered Double. 
Peach, 163. 
Perfectus, 153. 
Peter Barr, 131. 
Pharaoh, 138. 
Pheasant's Eye narcissus, 

see Recurvis. 
Phil May, 123. 
Phyllis, 163. 
Planting, 22, 24. 

depth, 24. 

sites, 19, 83. 

time for, 26. 
Plenipo, 203. 
Plunging, 53. 
Poetarum, 172. 
Poetaz, 107, 192. 
Poeticus, 104, 170, 203. 

albus-plenus odoratus, see 

Double Poet's Narcissus. 

Poet's narcissus group, 104, 

170, 203. 
Polestar, 179. 
Polyanthus, 183, 203. 
Portia, 138. 
Pots, 51, 52. 
Potting in August, 49. 

soil, 48. 
Praecox, 172. 

grandiflorus, see Praecox. 
P. R. Barr, 123. 
Prices, high, 10. 
Primrose Phoenix, 203. 
Primulinus, see Dean Her- 
bert. 
Prince Colobri, 138, 

George, 123. 

Metternich, 188. 

of Teck, 153. 
Princeps, 138. 

Maximus, 138. 
Princess Ida, 132. 



William Wilks, 143. 
Mary, 154. 
Mary of Cambridge, see 

Princess Mary. 
Maude, 163. 
of Wales, 163. 
Prinz von Metternich, see 

Prince Metternich. 
Profusion, 194. 
Prometheus, 177. 
Proserpine, 138. 
Protection for winter, 32. 

in summer, 39, 
Pseudo lobularis purailus 
plenu, see Dwarf 
Double Sweet Scented. 
Pseudo-Narcissus, 138. 
albus aureus plenus, see 
Gerard's Silver and 
Gold Double, 
albus plenus sulnhurius, 
see Silver or Sulphur 
Phoenix. 
Pseudo-rugilobus, see RugF- 

lobus. 
Pseudo-Scoticus plenus, see 

Double Scotch. 
Pulchellus, 157. 
Pyramus, 139. 
Pyrenean poeticus, 172. 
Queen Anne's Double, 200. 
Double Jonquil, 205. 
Bess, 154. 
Catherine, 154. 
Christiana, 139. 
Isabella, 13 9. 
of Holland, 123. 
of Holland, see Minnie 
Hume. 
Queen of Spain, see John- 
ston! Queen of Spain, 
of the chalice cups, see 

Conspicuus. 
of the Netherlands, i88. 



INDEX 



233 



Queen of Yellows, 186. 

Sophia, 154. 
Radiflorus, see Angusti- 

folius. 
Ranger Johnson, 123. 
Ray Smith, 123. 
Recurvis, 173. 
Red Star, 154. 
Regina Marguerita, 123. 
Resolute, 157. 

Rev. D. R. Williamson, 124. 
Rhea, 139 

Rip Van Winkle, 200. 
Rock garden, varieties for, 

91. 
Rockeries, 4. 
Rosalind, 177. 

Rose-flowered Double, 200. 
Rowena, 132. 
Royal Star, 179. 
Rugilobus, 124. 

lorifolius, see Rugilobus. 
Sabrina, 124. 
8. A. De GraaflF, 195. 
Salmonetta, 164. 
Salt hay, 36. 
Sand cushions, 29. 
Santa Maria, 124. 
Scarlet Eye, 177. 
Scarletta, 177. 
Sceptre, 178. 
Schizanthus Orientalis, sec 

Orientalis. 
Scilly White, 189. 
Scotch garland flower, see 

Scoticus. 
Scoticus, 139. 
Sea Gull, 169. 
Secret of succsss, 20. 
Seed, sowing, 212. 

raising from, 212. 
Seedlings, raising, 208. 
Selecting, 43. 
Semi-partitus, 154. 

plenus, 203. 



Sensation, 169. 
Sentinel, 139. 
Sequin, 179. 
Serotinus, 206. 

var. elegans, 207. 
Shade, value of, 38. 
Shakespeare, 124. 
Shipping flowers, 79. 
Shirley Hibberd, 124. 
Siddington, 169. 
Signs, explanation of, 109, 
Silver jonquil, see gracilis 
var. tenuior. 
Phoenix, 203. 
Spur, 139. 

Trumpet, see Albicans. 
White Swan's Neck daffo- 
dil, see Cernuus pulcher. 
no. 
Single Jonquil, see Jon- 
quilla. 
Van Sion of the Dutch, see 
Spurius. 
Sir Isaac Newton, 186. 
Stafford Northcote, 132. 
Watkin, 154. 
Sites for planting, 19, 83. 
Snowflake, 132. 

see Paper White Grandi- 
flora. 
Soil, 5, 18, 19, 21, 48, 77, 

83, 84. 
Spread Eagle, 124. 
Sprightly, 124. 
Spurius, 124. 

Excelsior, see Excelsior. 
Golden Spur, see Golden 

Spur. 
Henry Irving, see Henry 
Irving. 
Starlight, 155. 
Staten Generaal, see States 

General. 
States General, 188. 
Steadfast, 155. 



234 



DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 



Stella, 155. 

superba, 155, 
St. John's Beauty, 178. 
St. Patrick, 195. 
Strong Bow, 157. 
Structure, 14. 
Success, 20. 

Sulphur hoop petticoat, sec 
Bulbocodium Citrinum. 
King, 132. 
Phoenix, 203. 
Trumpet, see Albicans. 
Sunset, 194. 
Superbus, 164. 

Swan's Neck Daffodil, see 
Tortuosus and William 
Goldring. 
Sweetheart, 155, 
Sylvia, 164. 
Tazetta, io6, 183. 
Telamonius, see Spurius. 
plenus, see Double Van 
Sion. 
Temperature for potted 

bulbs, 48, 57, 64, 72. 
Tenby Daffodil, see Jenny 
Woodhouse and Ob- 
vallaris. 
Tender cluster - flowered 
group, 106, 183, 203. 
Tenuifolius minor, see In- 
termedins. 
The Bride, 173. 
Leek, 142. 
Pet, 178. 
Rival, 155. 
Sisterhood, 164. 
Twins, 195. 
Thisbe, 179. 
Thomas Moore, 125. 
Three months of bloom, 40. 
Time to plant, 26. 
Titian, 156. 
Torch, 156. 
Tortuosus, 132. 



Tottenham Yellow, 125, 
Totus albus, see Paper- 
white. 
Tradescanthus, see Rose- 
flowered Double. 
Tradescdnt's Centifolius, see 

Rose-flowered Double. 
Trewianus Major, see 

Bazelman major. 
Triandrus, 103, 147. 
albus, 147. 
calathinus, 147. 
concolor, 147. 
pulchellus, 147. 
Tridymus, 107, 194. 
Triumph, 156, 194. 
True Jonquil, see Jonquilla. 
Trumpet Maximus, 120. 

Minor, see Minor. 
Turf, planting in, 28, 86. 
Tuscan Bi-colour, 140. 

Bonnet, 125. 
Twin Flower, 173. 
Two colored trumpets, 133. 
Una, 164. 

Underdrainage, 23. 
Undine, 164. 
Vanessa, 178. 
Van Sion, 19, 198. 
Van Waveren's Giant, 125. 
Varieties for cut flowers, 80. 
forcing, 59, 60, 76. 
naturalising, 84, 87. 
Verbanensis, 173. 
Vesuvius, 156. 
Victoria, 140. 
Viridiflorus, 207. 
Vivid, 178. 
Water culture, 63. 
Weardale Perfection, 140. 
Welsh Lent lily, see Cara- 

bricus. 
Wet feet, 20. 
Where to grow, 4. 



INDEX 



235 



White Ajax, loi. 

hoop petticoat, see Bulbo- 
codium monophyllum. 

Lady, 164. 

cbvallaris, see Jenny 
Woodhouse. 

Orientalis, see Muscaret 
orientalis. 

Pearl, 189. 

Perfection, 189. 

Queen,i64. 

Wings, 156. 
Wild, 6. 

Will Scarlett, 156. 
William Backhouse, 158. 

Goldring, 133. 
Princess Louise, 177. 



Willie Barr, 125. 
Wilmer's Double Golden 
Daffodil, see Double 
Van Sion. 
Winter flowering, 47. 

varieties for, 58. 
Wolley Dod, 143. 
W. P. Milner, 133. 
Yellow Ajax, loi. 

Hoop Petticoat, see Bulbo- 

codium conspicuum. 
King, see Ard Righ. 
Orientalis, see Orientalis. 
poeticus, see Vanessa. 
Primo, see Grand Primo 
Citroniere. 



m 2^ '^'^ 



